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I,OTi.^Wde"West jEe. 






Copyright 1894, by Wm; M. Bradley & Co., 45- 



/ 



52d Congress, ) SEI^ATE. ) Ex. Doc. 149. 

1st Session. > '( Part 2. 



BUREAU OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS, 

WASHINGTON, U. S. A. ,<' 



HAND BOOK 



"^Pr^r^r^rr 









NICARAGUA. 



BULLETIN NO. 51. 1892. 



[Revised to August i, 1893.] 






BUREAU OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLICS, 
NO. 2 LAFAYETTE SQUARE, WASHINGTON, D. C, U. S. A. 



Director. — Clinton Furbish. 
Secretary, — Frederic Emory, 



\ 



/ 



0^ 



While the Titmost care is taken to insure ^icciiracy in the publications of the l^ureau of the Ameri- 
can Republics, no pecuniary responsibility is assumed on account of errors or inaccuracies which may 
occur theicin. 



WASHINGTON, D. C, U. S. 

Government Printing OFFici. 



/ 



6^3 



LIST OF BUREAU PUBLICATIONS. 



I. Hand Book of the American Repub- 
lics, No. I. 

•2. Hand Book of the American Repub- 
lics, No. 2. 

50. Hand Books of the American Repub- 

lics, No. 3. 
7. Hand Book of Brazil. 
9. Hand Book of Mexico. 

31. Hand Book of Costa Rica. 

32. Hand Book of Guatemala. 

33. Hand Book of Colombia. 

34. Hand Book of Venezuela. 

51. Hand Book ot Nicaragua. 

61. Hand Book of Uruguay. 

62. Hand Book of Haiti. 
67. Hand Book of the Argentine Republic. 
£.5. Hand Book of Bolivia. 

J. Import Duties of Mexico. 
rt. Import Duties of Brazil. 
I'l. Import Duties of Cuba and Puerto 
Rico. 
. Import Duties of Costa Rica. 

12. Import Duties of Santo Domingo. 

20. Import Duties of Nicaragua. 

21. Import Duties of Mexico (revised). 

22. Import Duties of Bolivia. 

23. Import Dufies of Salvador. 

24. Import Duties of Honduras. 

25. Import Duties of Ecuador. 
27. Import Duties of Colombia. 

36. Import Duties of Venezuela. 

37. Import Duties of the British Colonies. 

43. Import Duties of Guatemala. 

44. Import Duties of the United States. 

45. Import Duties of Peru. 

46. Import Duties of Chile. 

47. Import Duties of Uruguay. 

48. Import Duties of the Argentine Re- 

public. 

49. Import Duties of Haiti. 

13. Commercial Directory of Brazil. 

14. Commercial Directory of Venezuela. 

The above list includes all the publications of the Bureau to December 15, 1893. Orders for copies 
based on the above 'will not be noticed. 

On the following page will be found a list of publications, of which a limited number remain for dis- 
tribution. 

Address: Director, Bureau of the American Republics, Washington, D. 0. 



15. Commercial Directory of Colombia. 

16. Commercial Directory of Peru. 

17. Commercial Directory of Chile. 

18. Commercial Directory of Mexico. 

19. Commercial Directory of Bolivia, Ec- 

uador, Paraguay, and Uruguay. 
26. Commercial Directory of the Argen- 
tine Republic. 

28. Commercial Directory of Central 

America. 

29. Commercial Directory of Haiti and 

Santo Domingo. 

38. Commercial Directory of Cuba and 

Puerto Rico. 

39. Commercial Directory of European 

Colonies. 
Commercial Directory of Latin Amer- 
ica. 
42. Newspaper Directory of Latin America. 

3. Patent and Trade-Mark Laws of Amer- 

ica. 

4. Money, Weights, and Measures of the 

American Republics. 
6. Foreign Commerce of the American 
Republics. 

30. First Annual Report, 1891. 
Second Annual Report, 1S92. 

35. Breadstuifs in Latin America. 

40. Mines and Mining Laws of Latin 

America. 
Commercial Information Concerning 
the American Republics and Col- 
onies. 
Immigration and Land Laws of Latin 
America. 
63. How the Markets of Latin America 
may be reached. 
Manual de las Repfiblicas Ameri- 
canas, 1891. 
Monthly Bulletin, October, 1893. 
Monthly Bulletin, November, 1893. 



41 



53- 



BUREAU PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION. 



Hand Books of the American Republics, 

No. 3. 
Hand Book of Guatemala. 
Hand Book of Colombia. 
Hand Book of Venezuela. 
Hand Book of Nicaragua. 
Hand Book of Bolivia. 
Hand Book of Uruguay. 
Hand Book of Haiti. 
Hand Book of the Argentine Republic. 
Import Duties of Brazil. 
Import Duties of Cuba and Puerto Rico. 
Import Duties of Costa Rica. 
Import Duties of Nicaragua. 
Import Duties of Mexico (revised). 
Import Duties of Bolivia. 
Import Duties of Salvador. 
Import Duties of Honduras. 
Import Duties of Ecuador. 
Import Duties of Colombia. 
Import Duties of Venezuela. 
Import Duties of Guatemala. 
Import Duties of the United States. 
Import Duties of Peru. 
Import Duties of Chile. 
Import Duties of Uruguay. 
Import Duties of the Argentine Republic. 
Impoit Duties of Haiti. 
Commercial Director)' of Brazil. 
Commercial Directory of Cuba and Puerto 

Rico. 
Commercial Directory of the European 

Colonies. 



Commercial Directory of Venezuela. 

Commercial Directory of Colombia. 

Commercial Directory of Peru. 

Commercial Directory of Chile. 

Commercial Directory of Mexico. 

Commercial Directory of Bolivia, Ecua- 
dor, Paragua}', and Uruguay. 

Commercial Directory of the Argentine 
Republic. 

Commercial Directory of Haiti and Santo 
Domingo. 

Commercial Directory of Central America. 

Commercial Directory of Latin America. 

Newspaper Directory of Latin America. 

Patent and Trade-Mark Laws of America. 

Money, Weights, and Measures of the 
American Republics. 

Foreign Commerce of the American Re- 
publics. 

First Annual Report, 1891. 

Second Annual Report, 1892. 

Immigration and Land Laws of Latin 
America. 

How the Markets of Latin America may 
be reached. 

Manual de las Repfiblicas Americanas, 
1891. 

Monthly Bulletin, October, 1893. 

Monthly Bulletin, November, 1893. 



CONXKNTS. 



Page. 

Chapter I. Geography and Ph)^sical Features i 

II. Geology, Minerals, and Mining lo 

III. Climate and Seasons i6 

IV. Forests and Fibrous Plants 22 

V. Agricultural Resources 28 

VI. The Interoceanic Canal 42 

VII. Railroads and Transportation 5^ 

VIII. Constitution and Laws ; Finance and Taxation ; Public Improve- 
ments "5 

IX. Religion and Public Instruction 76 

X. Cost of Living, Wages, etc • 78 

XI. Commerce 84 

XII. Postal and Telegraph Service 9^ 

XIII. Immigration and Colonization loo 

XIV. Historical -and Bibliographical Notes 105 

Appendix A. Import Duties of Nicaragua 109 

B. Reciprocal Commercial Arrangement Between the United States 

and Nicaragua I39 

C. The Jewell Irrigation Contract '. I43 

D. The Mining Code 146 

E. The Mines of Nicaragua ; Report of Consul Newell 163 

Index • 179 



IIvLXJSTR ACTIONS. 

Map of Nicaragua Frontispiece, 

Page. 

Government Palace, Managua i 

Ancient Castle on the San Juan River 7 

In the Suburbs of Rivas 20 

Bread-fruit Tree and Peon's Cabin 3° 

View of Nicaragua Canal 42 

Dredges, Nicaragua Canal 53 

Railroad Station at Granada 56 

A Nicaraguan House 79 

Principal Street, Greytown 83 

Cathedral at Leon io5 

V 




Government Palace, Managua. 



Chapter L 



GEOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES. 

Nicaragua, from the fact that it offers a ready means of com- 
munication between the two great oceans, holds an important 
position among the Central American Republics. Its territory 
is comprised between the limits of 10° 41' and 15° north latitude, 
and 83° 15' and 87° 40' west longitude from Greenwich. The 
boundaries are: on the east, the Caribbean Sea; on the south, 
the Republic of Costa Rica; on the west, the Pacific Ocean, and 
on the north, the Republic of Honduras. It contains about 
40,000 square miles, or an area nearly equal to that comprised in 
the combined territories of the States of Maine, Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island, and Connecticut. In shape, it resembles an isosceles 
triangle, the base of which is the Caribbean coast and the apex the 
cone of the volcano of Cosigiiina, on the bay of Fonseca. 

The boundary between Nicaragua and Costa Rica was long in 
dispute, but was defined by a treaty between the two Republics, 
which was concluded on April 15, 1858. The claim having been 
made by Nicaragua that this treaty was not valid, the question 
was submitted to the arbitration of President Cleveland, who made 
an award on March 22, 1888. This decision, accepted by both 
parties, declared the treaty to be valid, and gave interpretations of 
all doubtful points. 

The Caribbean coast of Nicaragua measures about 300 miles 
from north to south. Of this extent, 150 miles is comprised in 
the Mosquito Reservation, the limits of which, as settled by the 
freaty of i860, are inclosed in a line commencing at the mouth 

I 



NICARAGUA. 



of the river Rama, in the Caribbean Sea, thence up the midcourse 
of that river to its source, and from such source due west to the 
meridian of 84° 15' longitude west from Greenwich; thence due 
north up the said meridian to the river Hueso, and down the mid- 
course of that river to the sea, and thence southerly along the shore 
of the Caribbean Sea to the point of commencement, at the mouth 
of the river Rama. This territory contains about 7,000 square 
miles of the richest, most fertile, and valuable part of Central 
America. 

The ports of entry on the Atlantic side are San Juan del Norte, 
or Greytown, as it was named by the English; Cabo de Gracias 
a Dios, and Bluefields. The port of San Juan del Norte was 
formerly a splendid harbor, having 30 feet of water at low tide, 
but in 1855 the river San Juan burst through its left bank near 
the Colorado and discharged a large portion of its water into that 
stream. Consequently the harbor at its mouth, no longer experi- 
encing the scouring effects of the quantity of water that had for- 
merly poured into it, began to fill with muddy deposits until 'ft 
became so silted up as to be useless. Since the Nicaragua Canal 
Company selected it as their Atlantic terminus, they have built a 
breakwater, and by this means, combined with powerful dredges, 
have so improved the harbor that ocean steamers are again able to 
enter, and it will soon be fit to receive the largest vessels. The 
port of Gracias a Dios was also in former times an excellent har- 
bor, but now has scarcely 15 feet of water at the deepest place. 
Vessels have to cast anchor at some distance outside the bar, and 
therefore the landing of passengers and merchandise is difficult, 
and in some cases attended with danger. 

In consequence of the great development of the trade in bana- 
nas and other tropical fruits, and the establishment of regular lines 
of steamers from the United States, Bluefields is assuming a posi- 
tion of importance as a port. The lagoon has an area of 100 
square miles and in some parts has considerable depth, although 



NICARAGUA. 



it suffers from the deposit of sediment brought down by the Blue- 
fields or Mico and other smaller rivers which empty into it. 

The Pacific coast of Nicaragua is about 200 miles in length, 
from the Gulf of Fonseca to the bay of Salinas. The water is 
deep close to the shore, while neither reefs nor shoals render nav- 
igation dangerous, and the volcanic peaks, visible at a distance of 
many miles, form admirable landmarks for the guidance of nav- 
igators. The heavy swell of the mighty Pacific rolls in high on 
the sandy beach and forms a constant heavy surf, called by the 
natives " La Tasca," affording splendid facilities for sea bathing. 

The bay of Fonseca, of which Nicaragua possesses a share with 
the neighboring republics of Salvador and Honduras, is the finest 
port on the entire western coast of America, It contains several 
good interior harbors, and has the appearance of having once been 
an inland lake, like those of Nicaragua and Managua, which has 
been opened to the ocean by some mighty convulsion of nature 
which has torn asuiider its rocky barrier and left an outlet 18 miles 
in width. The southern shore of this great bay, which belongs to 
Nicaragua, is about 25 miles in length. Here, a wide creek or 
inlet called " El Estero Real " extends some 50 miles into the 
interior. At 30 miles from its mouth, it is 3 fathoms in depth. 
Whenever the Interoceanic Railroad of Honduras is completed to 
La Brea, on the bay of Fonseca, this inlet will form an admirable 
avenue of commerce between it and Nicaragua. 

The Nicaraguan ports of entry on the Pacific side are Corinto 
and San Juan del Sur. The harbor of Corinto is one of the best- 
protected ports on the coast. It is a part of the ancient port of 
Realejo, which was in former times one of the best in Spanish 
America, but has now become shallow and in many places over- 
grown with mangrove trees. Corinto is the terminus of the rail- 
road from Lake Managua and is regularly visited by the Pacific 
Mail Company's steamers. Brito is not a port of entry, but has 
been selected as the Pacific terminus of the Nicaragua Canal, and 



4 NICARAGUA. 

will be thoroughly improved and adapted by the company to 
accommodate the immense traffic which it expects to receive. 

San Juan del Sur has a small but deep and safe harbor, with 
an entrance about half a mile in width between piles of rock more 
than 400 feet in height. It was brought into prominence from 
1851 to 1855 as the Pacific port of the Nicaragua transit line, by 
way of the lake and San Juan River from the Caribbean coast, by 
which many thousands of American passengers traveled to reach 
the Eldorado of California. 

The" bay of Salinas forms a beautiful, deep port, nearly circular 
in shape, embracing an area of about 8 square miles. The center 
of this bay marks the western terminus of the boundary line between 
Nicaragua and Costa Rica. 

The topographical features of Nicaragua are largely determined 
by two mountain ranges, which traverse the Republic in a general 
direction from northwest to southeast. The western or coast 
range commences in the high regions of Guatemala, and extend- 
ing through Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua ter- 
minates in the great knot or group of Costa Rican mountains. 
It follows the general direction of the coast at a distance from the 
sea varying from 10 to 20 miles, to which fact it is due that there 
are no considerable streams discharging from that slope into the 
Pacific Ocean. This is the principal line of volcanic energy and 
is marked by the volcanoes of Cosigiiina, 3,000 feet in height, 
which has been inactive since its tremendous eruption in 1835; 
Madera, 4,590 feet ; Ometepe, 5,747 feet; Momibacho, 4,583 feet; 
Masaya, 2,972 feet; Momotombo, 6,121 feet, and El Viejo, 6,256 
feet, all these altitudes being calculated from the surface of the 
surrounding country and not from the sea level. There are also 
many other lesser volcanic peaks, some of rhem showing evidences 
of recent activity and others which bear no signs of even com- 
paratively late eruptions and of which no traditions of such energy 
^re extant. 



NICARAGUA. ^ 

The eastern range enters Nicaragua from Honduras and extends 
in a general southeastern direction until it reaches the San Juan 
River, at a point about 50 miles from its mouth. It sends out 
numerous spurs and extensions towards the Caribbean Sea. 
Between these flow the many rivers and streams that abundantly 
irrigate the country on their way to the coast. Between these 
two ranges, lies the great interior basin, comprising an area of 
nearly 300 miles in length by 1 00 wide, in which are situated the 
two beautiful lakes which form such important features in the 
physical geography and economic conditions of the Republic. 

Lake Nicaragua, the ancient "Cocibolca," the largest of these, 
is about 92 miles in length by 34 in width. It varies consider- 
ably in depth, from 83 feet in places to 12 in others. On its 
northwestern shore, stands the ancient city of Granada, long the 
rival of Leon for the site of the national capital. A few miles 
from Granada, is the extinct volcanic peak of Mombacho. Forty 
miles distant, and near the same shore, is the city of Rivas, built 
on or near the site of the aboriginal capital. The lake receives 
the waters of the Rio Frio, which has its source in Costa Rica, 
and of several smaller streams. Its outlet is the river San 
Juan, flowing to the Caribbean Sea, the waters of which and part 
of its bed will be utilized to form the interoceanic canal. There 
are several islands in the lake, the largest of which is Ometepe, 
where the two volcanic peaks of Ometepe and Madera form con- 
spicuous objects in the scenery. This island has two towns and 
is inhabited by a considerable Indian population. 

Lake Managua is about 32 miles long by 16 in width. Its 
level is about 134 feet above the sea, or 24 feet above Lake Nica- 
ragua. Two points jut out into it from opposite sides, near its 
center, and give it somewhat the shape of the figure 8. It is not 
so deep as Lake Nicaragua, but a line of five steamers is now 
employed on its waters to accommodate the constantly increasing 
traffic between Momotombo, the terminus of the railroad from 



O NICARAGUA. 

Corinto, on the Pacific coast, and Managua, the capital of the 
Republic, which is situated on the southern shore of the lake. 
The towns of Mateare and Tipitapa are also on its southern shore. 

The fluvial system of Nicaragua lies almost entirely to the 
eastward of the mountain ranges and consists of numerous rivers, 
varying in volume according to the length of their course. The 
principal are the Coco or Wauks, the Rio Grande, the Bluefields 
or Mico, and the San Juan. The Coco, towards the Honduran 
frontier, is about 300 miles in length. It was named Wauks by 
the English mahogany-cutters, who had settlements on its banks. 
It has also been known by various other names. Although it 
receives the waters of numerous streams, as it runs through a 
narrow valley, it does not carry a volume of water proportionate 
to its length. It flows into the Caribbean sea near Cape Gracias 
a Dios. 

The Rio Grande or Matagalpa River rises in the Sierra de 
Guaguali in the department of Matagalpa. It receives in its 
course the waters of many streams and of several considerable 
rivers. For a distance of 100 miles from the sea it averages 300 
yards in width and 15 feet in depth, and would be navigable for 
vessels of considerable size, and would form a magnificent avenue 
for commerce and immigration if it were not for the bar at its mouth, 
which is very dangerous and seldom carries more than 8 feet of 
water. It was at this point that Columbus lost a boat and its 
crew, and this circumstance gave to it the name of "El Rio del 
Desastre." The deepening of the water on the bar would not be 
a difficult or very expensive undertaking, and there is no doubt 
that, in the near future, it will be done, and this fine river opened 
to the commerce of the world. The whole length of the river is 
about 230 miles. 

The Bluefields River, or, as it is sometimes called, the Mico or 
Escondido, has its source in the mountains of the Department of 
Chontales. Its general course is from west to east. It receives 




Ancient Castle on San Juan River. 



NICARAGUA. 



the waters of many rivers and streams of more or less importance 
and flows through a, region covered with magnificent forests. It 
is a beautiful river, and for a distance of about 65 miles, from 
Bluefields to the Boca de Rama, large steamers running to Gal- 
veston, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, and Boston ascend 
without difficulty, and, when the contemplated deepening at the 
bar has been carried out, ocean vessels of large draft will be able 
to reach the same point. It discharges into the Bluefields lagoon, 
a landlocked and well-protected harbor. 

The San Juan River is the most important water course in 
Central America, as it forms the outlet through which are discharged 
the waters of the great hydraulic system of Lake Nicaragua, from 
which circumstance it was named by the Spaniards " El Desa- 
guadero." Its navigation is interrupted by rapids and rocks at 
several points. It was, however, used for some years by the small 
steamboats of the transit company to carry passengers and freight 
between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. It is now again brought, 
and more prominently than ever, to the notice of the world as the 
scene of operations of the Nicaragua Canal Company, who will 
use its waters as a part of their system of interoceanic communi- 
cation. 

There are several islands near the Caribbean coast, the most 
important of which are St. Andrews, Old Providence, and Great 
and Little Corn Islands. These two latter have been claimed by 
the Mosquito authorities; but, as the treaty of i860 defines the 
Caribbean coast line as the limit of the reservation, the Nica- 
raguan Government has ignored their claim and established a post 
on the Great Corn Island and placed an official in charge. This 
island is situated about 38 miles from Bluefields and 82 from San 
Juan del Norte. Banana and cocoanut growing are the industries 
that are rendering these islands valuable. .—J 



8 NICARAGUA. 

POLITICAL DIVISIONS AND POPULATION. 

When the "kingdom" of Guatemala was definitely oiganized, 
in 1568, Nicaragua formed one of its five provinces and w2ls in 
turn divided into seven departments, called Realejo, Granada, 
Nicaragua, Matagalpa, Monimbo, Chontales, and Quezaltepeque. 
Under the ordinances published by Charles III in 1778, the prov- 
ince of Nicaragua was divided into five political divisions, Leon, 
Matagalpa, Realejo, Subtiaba, and Nicoya. 

The Republic is now divided into twelve departments : Chinan- 
dega, Leon, Managua, Masaya, Granada, Carazo, Rivas, Chontales, 
Matagalpa, Jinotega, Nueva Segovia, and Esteli. 

Nicaragua, enjoying all the richest gifts of nature, presenting 
an ever-varying panorama of mountain and valley, broad plains, 
and fertile valleys, forest and pasture land, lake and river, with a 
productive soil and salubrious climate, provided conditions emi- 
nently favorable for sustaining a vast population and bringing 
together great communities of the aboriginal people. That this 
was the case, is amply proved by the testimony of the ancient 
chroniclers. As was asserted by Las Casas, it was one of the best- 
peopled countries of Central America. 

Those same early historians tell us how its inhabitants were 
decimated by war, slavery, torture, and pestilence until but a rem- 
nant remained of its once teeming population. Indeed, so rapidly 
were they reduced in numbers that, in the year 1586, negro slavery 
was introduced by Governor Diego de Artieda to supply the 
demand for laborers, and it continued to be a legalized institution 
until April, 1824, when it was abolished by act of the Congress of 
the Republic of Central America, and the owners were compen- 
sated by the payment of the money value of their slaves. 

The present population of the Republic, according to the census 
of 1890, is 360,000 inhabitants (16,200 white, 198,000 Indians, 
1,800 negroes, and 144,000 of mixed races), little more than 8 to 
the square mile. How inadequate this is for the development of 



KICARAGUA. 



the resources of the country and how much smaller than the num- 
ber it would comfortably maintain, may be estimated by a compari- 
son with the population of four Commonwealths of the United 
States which closely correspond in area to Nicaragua, viz: Maine, 
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, which contain, on 
the same space of the earth's surface, nearly 4,000,000 of inhab- 
itants. In Nicaragua, as throughout Central America, females 
exceed the males in number. 

The Indians, who form the bulk of the laboring inhabitants, are 
docile and industrious, and fofm an excellent rural population, 
free to labor for their own benefit or for others, as their inclination 
or interest may dictate. Most of the people in the rural districts 
live in towns and villages, necessitating, in many instances, a jour- 
ney of several miles to and from their field of labor. This has 
arisen largely from the necessity for mutual protection during 
times of disturbance through which the country has passed. This 
fact frequently induces travelers when passing through the coun- 
try to estimate the population to be even more scanty than it 
really is, as they may pass, at times, many miles without seeing a 
house and meeting but few people. 

Many schemes have been from time to time proposed to secure 
immigration, but none have yet proved successful on any con- 
siderable scale ; but, while the Government has been seeking a 
solution of the problem, the march of events has steadily tended 
to show that it will settle itself as soon as facilities are provided 
for transporting the products of the country to the ports of the 
Atlantic seaboard and the improvement of the ports by deepening 
the bars at the mouths of the rivers is effected. Whenever these 
conditions are fulfilled, giving access to the markets of the world 
for the products of their labor, immigrants will flow in as they 
have done in other parts of Central and South America. 



Chapter 11. 



GEOLOGY, MINERALS, AND MINING* 

Geologically, Nicaragua maybe divided into five zones, differing 
from each other in many characteristics. 

The first or central division extends from southwest to northeast 
in direction. Its rocks are composed of granite, gneiss, sandstone, 
porphyry, slate, quartzite, limestone, and hornblende, and it contains 
large deposits of titanic iron ore and graphite. The Laurentian 
rocks occupy the center of the northern part of the division, while 
rocks of later age overlie them on the west and east. Devonian 
rocks rest unconformably upon the Silurian. They consist of 
marls, coarse and gritty shale, and red sandstone. These rocks 
resemble those of Scotland more closely than similar formations in 
the State of New York. In parts of this division are many fis- 
sures or lodes, frequently having walls of diabase or diorite, or one 
of these and slate, which have gold deposited in them, or they 
include veins of the ores of silver, tin, nickel, antimony, arsenic, 
etc. In a few places platinum, iridium, and osmium are found in 
creeks, mixed with the gangue of mineral veins, from which they 
have been removed by erosion and transported to the creeks by 
ancient glacial action or water. Many of these veins are very rich 
in the precious metals. 

A few of the peaks on these mountain ranges are the highest in 
Nicaragua, from 6,500 to 6,700 feet above the ocean level. At 
several places in the mountains are areas of nearly flat table-lands 
called "mesas," from 9 to 20 square miles in superficial dimensions. 

* For recent developments in mining in Nicaragua, see report of U. S. Consul Newell, 
Appendix E. 
10 



NICARAGUA. 1 1 

They are inclosed almost completely by peaks and ridges, which 
rise to a height of from loo to 500 feet, and have nearly per- 
pendicular external walls, intersected in places by canons through 
which the rain waters find their way to the streams which flow into 
the Caribbean Sea. A few ancient extinct volcanic cones and 
fissures can be seen, and some mineral springs are found, having 
temperatures of from 131° to 215° F. 

The second division is a narrow annex on the east of the division 
just described, and extends to within about 100 miles of the Carib- 
bean coast. Its mountain system is monogenetic, forming iso- 
lated cones, short ridges, and long valleys, all from 1,000 to 2,800 
feet above sea level. There are many dry beds of ancient rivers, 
traceable for many miles, along which are small hills. Those near 
the old river, north of the river Prinzapulca, consist of iron clay 
slates and partly stratified fragments of chlorite and talcose slates; 
quartz, pebbles, sands, and occasionally clays, interspersed with 
numerous small and a few large particles of gold. Fifteen miles 
north of the Indian village of Wylowas, on the Prinzapulka River, 
the old river channel and its valleys contain very rich gold placers. 
Another large placer, very rich in gold, is found in the bed of a 
pre-glacial river, on the southeast side of and near the river Eas, 
a confluent of the river Tooma. Among the rocks of this division 
are Lower Carboniferous limestones, Permian magnesian limestones, 
red sandstones, and variegated shales. In the Laramie, brown coal 
or lignite is found, and in the Cretaceous formations, volitic rocks 
and clays, gypsum, salt, and slightly metamorphosed sandstones. 
At several places mountain limestone of the Lower Carboniferous 
forms the outcropping eastern margin of the rocks. At some 
localities there are long groups of hills and ridges which are 
evidently terminal moraines referable to a glacial epoch in Nicara- 
gua contemporaneous with a similar era in North America. 
Numerous mineral springs have been discovered in this uninhab^ 
ited part of Nicaragua. The waters are cool, except in one case, 
where the water has a temperature of 1 20° F. 



12 NICARAGUA. 

The delta-shaped area of all the east-flowing rivers forms the 
third division. It comprises about 15,000 square miles, or 75 
miles from east to west and about 200 miles from north to south 
on the seacoast. This part of the coast has subsided until within 
the past few years, and the ancient coast line was formerly far to 
the eastward of its present position. Recently, its elevation ap- 
pears to have recommenced. Formerly, corals grew nearly into 
the mouths of the rivers Matagalpa, Escondido, and others. 
Now, the tops of their branches are dead, and the muddy river 
waters that killed them are distinguishable several miles seaward. 

The fourth division lies on the western side of the first. It has 
for its western limit the foot of the mountain ridges which extend 
to near the margin of lakes Nicaragua and Managua, and extends 
from the lakes northwestward to about latitude 13° 15' north. 
Formations of the following ages occur in this as well as in the 
second division: 

Recent. — Submerged forests, clay, peat, marl, volcanic tufas, stratified sand 
and ashes, and uncompacted volcanic ashes. 

Pleistocene. — Terrace beaches and deposits, metamorphosed rock-walled 
gulches, erratic bowlders, striated rocks, moraines, volcanic tufas and agglom- 
erates, and alluvial conglomerates. 

Pliocene. — Lignites, loams, and flinty shingle. 

Miocene. — Greenish marly limestones, clay, fresh-water marly limestone, and 
sandstones. 

Eocene. — Limestones, clay, fresh-water marly limestones, and sandstones. 

Mesozoic. — Oolitic flinty limestones, conglomerates and slates, bluish marly 
clays, greenish sandstones, pebbly sandstones, gypsum, salt beds, bituminous 
earths, and marls. 

Permian. — Magnesian limestones, variegated shales, red sandstones, and 
lignite. 

Carboniferous. — Coal, mostly anthracite in character, sandstone, and lime- 
stone. 

There are ancient volcanic fissures in this division, but the rocks 
filling them are rapidly disintegrating. They are not distinctly 
outlined in many places, but are partly covered by eruptions from 



NICARAGUA. I3 

more recent volcanoes. Several large springs, having a tem- 
perature of 158° to 212° F., flow from the foot of the mountains 
in the northwestern part of this division. They usually contain 
large percentages of alkalis. This division is very interesting, and 
wonderfully varied in its stratification, lithology, mineralogy, and 
mineral springs. 

The fifth division embraces the northwestern and southwestern 
parts of Nicaragua, including lakes Nicaragua and Managua, 
which were once part of the Cenozoic ocean; also several small 
lakes in the craters of extinct volcanoes. Some of these contain 
pure or slightly alkaline water, as Masaya, Apoyo, Tiscapa, etc. 
Others contain large amounts of sulphur and alkalis, as Nejapa 
(which gives iodine reactions and possesses in a remarkable de- 
gree the property of preserving and strengthening animal mem- 
brane, tissues, etc.), Asososca, and others. The northwestern part 
of this division extends to near the Gulf of Fonseca. Its rocks 
are paleozoic. It is intersected by many lodes, generally running 
from northeast to southwest, which contain gold as the principal 
metal, but those passing into granite rocks, or between granite and 
gneiss and shales, have as their principal metal silver, tin, or 
manganese. The gangue of all these veins is quartz and mag- 
nesian slates, and their walls are granite or gneiss, or one of these 
on one side and shales on the other, excepting a £gw of the gold- 
bearing veins, which have walls of diabase or diorite. Some of 
the most valuable mineral veins in the southern part of this- division 
have been largely faulted and disturbed. 

The western and southwestern parts of this division, with the 
exception of a few low hills, are composed to great depths of mat- 
ter ejected from the line of volcanic fissures and cones which pass 
through or appear above it. On this erupted mass, are situated all 
the large towns and cities in Nicaragua excepting Matagalpa and 
Jinotega; and more than seven-tenths of the population of the 
country reside in the towns, fertile valleys, and mountain slopes of 



14 NICARAGUA. 

this vicinity. In several places, the darker and more easily melted 
minerals, basalt, dolorite, andesite, and black scoriae have been 
transported by water to greater distances from the volcanoes than 
the lighter-colored and more acidic minerals, pumice, obsidian, 
trachyte, light-colored scoriae, and rhyolite. 

MINES AND MINING LAWS. 

The northern part of this division, in the department of Segovia, 
contains many mines, and some that were once famous ; and there 
is no doubt that, under conditions of peace and good govern- 
ment, the influx of capital and labor will, before long, make 
this one of the richest mining regions in Central America. 
Chontales is a very rich mining district, where mines are now in 
active operation which have contributed in no small degree to 
augment the wealth of the Republic. Matagalpa is also very rich 
in minerals, requiring only capital and improved means of trans- 
portation to develop a great mining interest. 

The code of mining laws of Nicaragua is a very voluminous 
document, forming a book of ii2 pages, published in the year 
1877. It is based upon the- old Spanish mining laws, but is very 
liberal in its provisions. 

The most important part of this Code (Cbdigo de minerid) was 
published in English in the chapter " Nicaragua," of Bulletin No. 
40, of the Bureau of the American Republics, " Mines and Mining 
Laws of Latin America ". This chapter is reprinted in full, at the 
end of this Hand Book, as Appendix D. 

Mining machinery is admitted free of duty, and there are no 
taxes, either government or municipal, levied on mines. There 
is no distinction between foreigners and natives in the right to 
acquire and hold mining property. 

Senor Don Jose D. Gamez, in his "Noticias Geograficas de la 
Republica de Nicaragua," which the Nicara^uan Government sent 
to the Bureau of the American Republics to aid in the prepara- 



NICARAGUA. 



15 



tion of this Hand Book, refers to the mines of Nicaragua in the 
following terms: 

In the whole of Central America the only country which goes ahead of Nica- 
ragua, as far as mineral wealth is concerned, is the Republic of Honduras. 

The vast mountain system which extends to the Atlantic coast, although 
almost unexplored in this respect, is the great mining region of the country; 
but independently of it there are the districts of Nueva Segovia and Chontales, 
which have become celebrated for the gold they yield in abundant quantities. 

The mines thus far discovered are very valuable; but the mining industry has 
not developed in proportion, because of the lack of capital, skilled labor, and 
convenient means of transportation. This is the reason why few mines have 
been worked up to this date; but those which have been worked, most of which 
belong to foreigners, are yielding large profits. 

At present only gold mines are worked in Nicaragua. The famous silver 
mines, which gave such fabulous yieldings in the Sixteenth and the Seventeenth 
centuries, are no longer in operation. They require larger expenses and a 
greater knowledge of the subject. 

The gold mines of Chontales yield from one-fourth to 2 ounces of gold, from 
14 to 20 carats, per ton of 2,000 English pounds of ore. Those of Nuevo Se- 
govia yield from one-half to 3 ounces of gold per ton. 

The bad roads of the department of Nueva Segovia render the introduction 
of mining machinery very difficult, and for this reason no mine which yields 
less than 1 ounce of gold per ton of ore is worked with profit. Every town, 
every hill, every mountain, and almost every river in this department, contains 
gold, or gold and silver, or copper, tin, zinc, antimony, or other metals. Sam- 
ples of these metals and ores commanded the attention of the world at the 
Paris Exhibition of 1889. * * * 

The total production of gold in Nicaragua can be estimated at 22,754 ounces 
per year. 



Chapter III. 



CLIMATE AND SEASONS. 

It is a common error among persons unacquainted with the 
country to suppose that Nicaragua, being, geographically, a tropical 
country, must suffer from excessive heat, and consequently, is un- 
healthy for people of northern origin. The truth is that, while on 
the low lands of the coast and forests of the plains the climate is 
tropical, in the higher regions it is varied and temperate. 

Situated between two great oceans, the country enjoys an insu- 
lar regularity of temperature, while the absence of mountains 
toward the Atlantic coast and the broad expanse of its lakes per- 
mit the trade winds to sweep across the country and ventilate it 
so thoroughly as to produce a climate agreeable to the senses and 
favorable to health. 

There are in Nicaragua only two seasons — the wet, called by 
the natives winter, and the dry, called summer — but on the Atlan- 
tic side these seasons are not so well defined. The time of com- 
mencement and ending of these varies according to locality. On 
the eastern coast, the rainy season is from June to December, 
inclusive; on the Pacific slope the rains commence about the 15th 
of May and continue until the 15th of November. The climate 
of the Caribbean coast is much more humid than that of the 
Pacific side of the mountains. The amount of precipitation at 
San Juan del Norte during the past year was 29.7 inches. This 
heavy rainfall and humidity of the atmosphere are largely attribu- 
table to the dense forests, As the country is cleared and brought 

16 



NICARAGUA. 1^ 

under cultivation this will doubtless meet with a proportionate 
diminution, as has been the case in other tropical countries. 

Even on the hottest part of this coast, the heat is never oppres- 
sive while the trade wind is blowing, but during calms it is very 
sultry. The climate, however, is anything but unhealthful. The 
prevailing type of disease appears to be a low form of intermittent 
fever, mild in its character, and yielding readily to simple remedies. 
In the majority of cases, where foreigners suffer from it, the cause 
may be traced to their own imprudence and careless habits of life. 
With ordinary attention to hygienic laws, and temperance in eat- 
ing and drinking, there is no reason why any person of good con- 
stitution should not enjoy as good health in Nicaragua as in any 
other part of the world. 

A naval officer, who has written on the subject, states that he 
once commanded a ship of war, with a large crew, that was sta- 
tioned on the coast for five months, during which time he never 
had more than four men on the sick list, and not a single death 
occurred. 

The following notes, taken during a more extended residence 
on this coast, by the same officer, will afford a good idea of the 
climate and its variations: 

January. — Strong breezes from northeast ; dry weather; occasional showers, 
principally during the night. 

February. — Squally weather, wind changing from north to east in sudden 
gusts. This month is sometimes showery, but wind never shifts beyond north 
or east. 

March. — Strong breezes from eastnortheast. Generally, about the 20th, an 
equinoctial gale may be expected, which generally lasts about three days, with 
heavy rain, and violent winds from north to northwest. Otherwise, March is 
a dry month. 

April. — Light southeast and south winds, with calms. No rain. Rivers low 
and lagoons shallow. 

May. — Calms; dry weather; winds very light and variable. 

June. — Heavy rains, with much thunder and lightning; generally calm, but 
subject to squalls and sudden gusts of wind. 
Bull. 51 3 



1 8 NICARAGUA. 

July. — The same as June, but varied by strong steady breezes from east- 
northeast to northeast. 

August. — The same as the two preceding months, with the addition of heavy 
squalls of short duration. 

September. — Calms and light variable winds, thunder and lightning, with 
occasional rains. 

October. — Northers commence in this month; generally, about the 15th, heavy 
northerly gales may be expected, with rain and squalls. These may be looked 
for occasionally between October and January. During a wet norther the 
weather is chilly and unpleasant, but should it be dry, it is both healthy and 
invigorating. 

November. — Similar weather; plenty of rain. Sometimes the trade wind 
blows uninterruptedly, and the entire month passes without a norther. 

December. — Passing showers, the trade wind blowing strongly, occasionally 
interrupted by northers. 

January, February, March, and April are considered the most 
healthful months of the year. March and April are the hottest. 
The thermometer seldom rises above 85° or falls below 70°. 

A report published by the Nicaragua Canal Company gives 
some interesting details as to the healthfulness of the country. It 
says: "No better proof of the healthfulness of the country can be 
asked than the practical experience of the men who have been 
employed in surveys of the route and on actual work of construc- 
tion thus far accomplished. The surveys were made through 
dense forests and jungle, where every foot of advance was gained 
by the use of the ax or machete, and through swamps and streams 
where the men were often compelled to do their work up to their 
waists in water. In December, 1887, ^^ engineering expedition 
under the charge of Mr. Peary, consisting of some forty-five survey- 
ors, including their assistants, and accompanied by about one hun- 
dred negroes from Jamaica, landed at Greytown and commenced, 
work. Peary says that, excepting the negroes only five members 
of the expedition had ever been in tropical climates before, and 
the rodmen and chainmen of the party were young men just out of 
college, who had never done a day's work nor slept on the ground a 



NICARAGUA. 



19 



night in their lives. The rainy season prevailed more than a month 
beyond the usual period, during which time and for months after- 
ward all the members of the party, engineers and laborers alike, 
were equally exposed in their tents and in the forests, working 
sometimes on land, sometimes in the streams and swamps, to all 
the vicissitudes of the climate. Yet, notwithstanding all this 
exposure, not only were there no deaths on the expedition, but there 
was not a single case of serious illness; and those who, at the 
expiration of their contract, returned to the United States came 
back in better health and weight than when they went away. 
Of course, the men were well fed and sanitary rules were strictly 
enforced, but the results proved the natural salubrity of the climate." 
The annual report, for the year 1890, of Dr. J. E. Stubbert, 
surgeon in chief to the Nicaragua Canal Company, shows the same 
remarkable immunity from disease and sickness among the em- 
ployes. The following is the meteorological report of observations 
taken at the company's headquarters at San Juan del Sur for the 
year ending December 31, 1890: 



Month. 



January . . 
February . 
March . . . . 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August . . . 
September 
October . . 
November 
December 



Total rain- 
fall. 



Inches. 

26.80 

6.36 

5-93 

18. II 

4-93 
46.84 

52.55 

35-72 

8. 14 

24.36 

25-55 
41.65 



Daily aver- 
age. 



Inches. 
.86 
. 227 
.191 
.60 
. 164 

1-55 
I. 69 

I. 15 

.27 

.78 

.85 

1.34 



Maximum 
temv>erature 



81 
80 
81 

78 
80 

84 
81 
81. 5 

89-5 
80.5 
82 
81 



Minimum 
temperature. 



70 

72 

73 
72 
72 
74 
75 
75 
75 
74 
71 
72 



Average 
temperature. 



75 

76 

77 
75 
76 

79 

78 
78 
83 
77 
76.5 

76.5 



Inches. 

Average monthly rainfall for the year 24. 75 

Average daily rainfall for the year 819 

Total rainfall for the year 296. 94 

In the more elevated regions and on the Pacific slope, the tem- 
perature is also very equable, differing a little according to locality, 



NICARAGUA. 



but preserving a nearly uniform range, during the wet season, of 
from 75° to 88° F., occasionally sinking to 70° during the night 
and rising to 90° in the afternoon. During the dry season, the 
average temperature is less, for although it ranges from 80° to 90° 
during the day, it falls frequently to 65'' or 68° during the night. 
The sky is cloudless, the fields become parched and dry, and the 
effect of this season is practically that of a northern winter, check- 
ing and destroying ephemeral vegetation, thereby purifying the 
atmosphere and rendering it the healthiest part of the year. In 
all the elevated regions of Nicaragua, no sense of oppression or 
exhaustion is felt, even on the hottest day. The air is so pure 
and fresh and the radiation of heat so rapid that, even when the 
direct rays of the sun may be felt to be intolerable, the temper- 
ature is pleasant and refreshing in the shade, forming a great con- 
trast in this respect to northern cities, where, at times, it is impossible 
to escape from the exhausting heat, either in the house or even during 
the night. 

Observations taken during one year at the town of Rivas gave 
the following results: Mean highest temperature 86° F., mean 
lowest 71°; mean average for the year 77°, mean range 1 9°. The 
amount of rain which fell from May to November, inclusive, was 
90.3 inches; from December to April, inclusive, 7.41 inches; total 
for the year, 97.44 inches. Hail is almost unknown in Nicara- 
gua, as are also frost and snow, and none of the mountains or vol- 
canic peaks are high enough to be liable to a perpetual or even 
an occasional covering of snow. Cyclones, hurricanes, and destruc- 
tive storms, which at certain seasons are so devastating in other 
countries, never reach this favored land. It is a remarkable fact 
that in Nicaragua, although the barometer varies in one place or 
the other according to the altitude, as is natural, in any fixed spot 
the variation throughout the year is almost inappreciable, so much 
so as to render it almost useless as an indicator of atmospheric dis- 
turbance or changes of weather. This proves that the atmosphere 




In the Suburbs of Rivas. 



NICARAGUA. 2l 

has a. uniformity of pressure "that is very remarkable, a condition 
very favorable to the maintenance of good health, and particularly 
beneficial to the respiratory organs. Earthquakes, to which all 
volcanic countries are more or less subject have at times been felt 
on the Pacific slope, but they have never been so violent or 
destructive as in other countries. The volcanic energy which, in 
remote ages, has had such a marked influence on the topography 
of the whole Pacific coast of America, is gradually dying out, and 
seismic disturbances subside in the same ratio. 



Chapter IV. 



FORESTS AND FIBROUS PLANTS. 

In the luxuriant forests that cover so many square miles of ter- 
ritory, Nicaragua possesses an element of incalculable wealth, 
which, from its accessibility to the great markets of the world, 
will, in the very near future, become the foundation of a great in- 
dustry. Some beginning in this direction has been made in the 
neighborhood of Bluefields, but with the improvement of the bars 
at the river mouths and the opening of routes of transportation, 
this will expand in all directions and contribute in no small 
degree to the national prosperity. 

The mahogany (caohd) is the monarch tree of Central Ameri- 
can forests and is abundant in Nicaragua, growing to an enormous 
size, frequently measuring from 40 to 50 feet in height below the 
first branches and from 9 to 1 2 feet in diameter at the base. At 
a short distance the tree is a magnificent object, its giant arms 
stretching outward over a wide space and surmounted by a great 
dome of verdure, which at certain seasons of the year is colored 
with hues like the autumnal foliage of our northern trees. This 
change of color is the guide of the mahogany hunter, whose busi- 
ness it is to find the trees in the dense forest and point them out 
to the choppers. He climbs the highest tree he can find, detects 
the spot where they are growing, cuts a way to them through the 
undergrowth and carves on the trunk his employer's mark. This 
magnificent wood has long been appreciated for its beauty by 
cabinet-makers and for decorative work, but its value for ship- 

22 



NICARAGUA. 2,3 

building and other similar purposes has never been estimated as 
highly as it deserves. It is in all respects better than oak. It 
shrinks less, warps and twists less, is more buoyant, holds glue 
better, and weighs less. (The average weight of mahogany is 44 
pounds per cubic foot, while oak weighs ^^.) Mahogany is slow 
to take fire, is free from dry rot and the effects of acids, and does 
not suffer from any change of temperature. The non-corrosion of 
metals is a very valuable property in this wood. A decoction of 
it gives hardly any chemical reaction, and has no effect on iron or 
copper. The tree can be cut at anytime during the year, but it 
is generally felled in the dry season, between October and May. 
When the tree is down, the branches are lopped off and the logs 
squared. They are then drawn by oxen to. the nearest water 
course, where they are rafted and allowed to remain until the high 
water of June or July, when they are floated to the port of ship- 
ment. When railroads penetrate the forest districts, vast quanti- 
ties of this timber that are now remote from the streams will 
become available. 

The tree second only to mahogany in beauty and value is the 
cedar (cedro), so well known from its extensive use for pencils and 
cigar boxes. In Nicaragua, it is abundant, grows to an immense 
size, and produces wood of the finest quality. It can be worked 
as easily as pine, and when polished is as beautiful as mahogany, 
while its aromatic odor preserves it from the attack of insects. It 
also, like the common red cedar of the North, is very durable, and 
is not liable to rot when exposed to damp. 

The wild cotton tree (fe2ba) is one of the grandest forest trees. 
It grows rapidly and to great size ; trunks of 70 feet in length and 
14 in diameter near the root are not uncommon. The wood is 
very useful for building purposes; it is hghter than pine but per- 
haps not quite so durable, and can be worked very easily. It is 
largely used by natives to make canoes, or bongos, many of them 
of large size, which are hollowed out from a single log; also for 



24 NICARAGUA. 

making barrels. It produces large pods, filled with a downy sub- 
stance like floss silk ; the shortness of the fiber renders it unavail- 
able for textile purposes, but it is frequently used for stufBng cush- 
ions, pillows, etc., and is doubtless available for other economic 
uses. 

The guanacaste is a noble tree, notable for the immense size it 
attains and the enormous spread of its branches. It produces fine, 
durable lumber, and large quantities of gum exude from it, which 
might be made available as an article of commerce. 

The jemsero^ a tree of the acacia family, also reaches great pro- 
portions and produces an excellent wood, which is unknown to 
commerce, but occupying a middle place between mahogany and 
cedar, with somewhat of the good qualities of both. 

The guayacan Qignum-vita). The wood of this tree is too well 
known to need description; there are two varieties, black and 
green, both abundant in the forests of Nicaragua. 

The granadillo, rourSn, and nd??ibaro (rosewood) are all beautiful 
and valuable cabinet woods, which grow abundantly. The nispero, 
which produces one of the best tropical fruits, also furnishes a most 
valuable wood which, for cabinet uses, rivals mahogany in beauty. 
It is hard and heavy; under water it becomes as hard as iron, and 
will last almost indefinitely. The madrono produces a very fine 
grained wood, suitable for turning, and would be very useful as a 
substitute for boxwood, for wood engraving and other purposes. 

The tree called tnadre de cacao (mother of cacao), which is 
used extensively to shade the cacao plants, does not grow to a 
large size, but produces a wood called by the natives madera negra 
(black wood), which is useful for foundations, posts, etc., as it is 
almost indestructible when under ground. 

The guapinol produces a fruit from which an edible substance is 
made and a gum equal in every respect to copal. Its wood is 
also very beautifiil and useful either for construction or cabinet 
purposes. 



NICARAGUA. 2^ 

The rorfes is a large tree which produces a beautiful fine grained 
wood of a pale yellow color. It is very hard, and could, without 
doubt, be made available for many purposes of manufacture. 

The za-potillo produces wood which is the only kind known 
that will resist the attacks of the teredo or boring sea worm, so 
destructive in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. 

There are also a number of trees such as the guachipiUn, the 
guiliguiste^ the palo de carbon^ the coyote^ and the chiquirin^ which 
produce woods excellent for underground use and especially valu- 
able for railway ties or sleepers. 

Oaks of several varieties, and particularly the live oak, which 
grows to an enormous size, and the long-leaved pine, called by 
the natives jocote^ grow abundantly in the more elevated regions. 
The latter are particularly rich in resinous juices and would pro- 
duce abundant harvests of turpentine and tar. 

Dyewoods also abound in the dense tropical forests. One of 
the most valuable of these is that called moran. 

Brazil wood, a variety of which is called in the country " Nica- 
raguan wood" {inadera de Nicaragua)^ is abundant, also sandal 
wood, nance, elequeme, and many others that produce valuable tinc- 
tures and dyes well known to the natives, but which have no com- 
mercial nomenclature and are unknown in the markets of the 
world, although they can be found everywhere in Nicaragua. 

The several varieties of palms are very beautiful and striking 
features of Nicaraguan forests. They are often so numerous as to 
form groves extending for miles. The best known are the corozo 
or cohune palm and the coyol, both of which produce great crops 
of oleaginous nuts. The vegetable oils that can be produced in 
these forests present an admirable field for commercial enterprise. 
The trees and plants producing them exist in great variety and 
abundance, such as the jolio, the marango, the cacaguate, and the 
castor-oil plant. 

Medicinal plants of all kinds abound in countless numbers and 



26 NICARAGUA. 

infinite variety, a few of them known in the pharmacopoeia of the 
United States, but these latter are insignificant in number when 
compared with the vast resources of medical botany in tropical 
America. Among those known to commerce, Nicaragua produces 
sarsaparilla, ipecacuana, jalap, croton, hellebore, cundurango, bella- 
donna, quassia, ginger, copaiva, aloes, vanilla, and great numbers of 
others, the virtues of which are well known to the natives, although 
even their names are unknown outside the country. 

This slight sketch of the products of the Central American for- 
ests is merely an indication of their vast resources; anything like 
a full list or description would occupy a volume of no inconsider- 
able dimensions. It may serve to direct attention to the subject, 
and invite enterprise to their utilization. 

FIBROUS PLANTS. 

Besides cotton, which will be mentioned more fully in another 
chapter of this Hand-Book, Nicaragua has many other textile plants 
that are valuable to commerce. 

The pita {Bromelia pita) produces a fiber the roughest of which 
is superior to manila hemp for length, strength, and suppleness, 
but when bleached and carefully prepared for mixing with silk, it 
can not be distinguished from it except by aid of the microscope. 
Its length, from 5 to 9 feet, makes it available for twines of single 
thread and its lightness and durability render it valuable for cord- 
age. Monsieur Chevremont, a Belgian engineer, who has closely 
studied the question, says: "Ropes made from pita possess a 
greater average strength by four times than those made from hemp 
of similar dimensions." 

Squier also .tates that this fiber is probably more valuable in 
every sense than that of any other tropical plant. 

There are three varieties oi yuca^ bearing leaves from 18 to 36 
inches in length, which produce valable fibers. 

The Agave sisalana that produces the henequen or sisal hemp 



NICARAGUA. I'J 

of commerce, which forms such an extensive article of export from 
Yucatan that a capital of $6,000,000 is invested there in its pro- 
duction, is not confined to that country alone, but grows even more 
luxuriantly in Central America. It is found as a wild plant 
throughout Nicaragua, as are also other members oi the agave 
family well known as fiber-producing plants. 

Ramie and jute could also be grown in perfection in Nicaragua 
and would prove valuable additions to her export commodities. 

The consumption of fibers in the United States is very large 
and constantly increasing. During the year 1891, there were im- 
ported 733,296 bales of jute from the East Indies and an immense 
quantity of other fibers. With such a market in close proximity 
and with vast facilities for production, this industry must become 
an important interest in Nicaragua and Central America gener- 
ally. There is so little realization of the hidden wealth in this 
direction that nobody moves or takes the opportunities now open. 
The plants abound; all that is wanting is energy and far-seeing 
capitalists. 



Chapter V. 



AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. 

Peter Heylyn, in his Cosmography, published in London in 
1652, says, in reference to Nicaragua: "It is stored with plenty 
of cotton wool and abundance of sugar canes, and is so pleasing 
to the eye that the Spaniards call it by the name of Mahomet's 
Paradise." Its productions, however, far from being limited to the 
staples mentioned by the old geographer, are of the most varied 
character, but its resources have been very imperfectly developed. 
The facilities for transportation have been so poor that little more 
has been raised than is sufficient for the wants of its population, 
and the portion of land brought under cultivation has been rela- 
tively small. With the development that is now in progress, and 
the opening up and improvement of roads and other means of 
transport, the condition of affairs is gradually changing, and the 
boundless wealth of its resources is beginning to be recognized. 

COFFEE. 

The principal agricultural wealth of Nicaragua lies in its coffee 
plantations. Although this industry is still in its infancy, every 
year witnesses its augmentation, and the time is near at hand when 
the coffee of Nicaragua will take the prominent position to which 
it is certainly entitled. There are millions of acres of land in the 
Republic that are especially adapted to the cultivation of coffee. 

Senor Don Jose D. Gamez in his Noticias Geogrdficas de la Re- 
fuhlica de Nicaragua^ already cited, says: 

Coffee grows well almost everywhere in Nicaragua, but preferably in the 

mountainous districts. The production at a height of from 200 to 2,000 feet 

above the level of the sea is generally at the rate of one-half pound, and in some 

cases I pound per tree. At an elevation of 2,000 or 3,000 feet, the production 

28 



NICARAGUA. 



29 



tion fluctuates between 1, 2, 3, 4, and even 5 pounds per tree, according to the 
quality of the ground. At a higher altitude the production diminishes gradually 
until it ceases entirely on account of the cold temperature. There are in 
Nicaragua certain coffee regions offering the best possible advantages for the 
cultivation of this plant. They are to be found in the departments of Managua, 
Carazo, Matagalpa, Chontales, Jinotega, and in the skirts of the hills and vol- 
canoes of the other departments. 

The Government charges $1.50 for each manzana of public land. (A man- 
zana is equivalent to l% acres.) 

The number of coffee trees which have been planted in Nicaragua up to the 
month of August, 1892, is as follows: 

Trees. 

On the mountains of Managua ... 15, 000, 000 

On the Mombacho volcano (Granada) i, 000, 000 

In the Department of — 

Carazo , 5, 000, 000 

Jinotega I, 844, 000 

Matagalpa I, 294, 600 

Masaya 1, 000, 000 

Ribas 50, 000 

Chinandega 30, 000 

Chontales 30, 000 

Total 25, 748, 600 

The number of trees planted in the present year (1892) will raise the above 
total to 27,000,000. 

The expenses vary in proportion to the quality of the ground, the height at 
which it is situated, the distance from the coast, and the facilities of transporta- 
tion. The results thus far obtained allow the following statement to be made 
with certainty : 



Tear. 



879. 

880. 
881. 
882. 



887. 



890. 
891. 



Total 
production 
in quintals. 



35. 293 
45, 283 
46, 982 
73,283 
54,581 
72, 384 
70, 525 
72,531 
68, 470 
88, 166 

84, 145 
113, 820 

91. 540 



Average 
price per 
quintal. 



Dollars. 
8.00 
8.50 
9. GO 
9. 00 

9-50 
9.50 
10. 00 
10.00 
20. 00 
18. 00 
20. 00 
24. 00 
22. 00 



Total value of 
the production. 



Dollars. 
282, 344. 00 
384, 905. 50 
422, 838. GO 

657, 547- 00 
518,519.50 

687, 648. GO 

701, 210. GO 

723, 5IG. 00 

I, 369, 400. GO 

I, 586, 988. 00 

1, 682, 900. 00 

2, 731, 680. GO 
2, G13, 88g. GO 



Cost per 
quintal. 



Dollars. 
5- 50 



6.00 



Net profit 

per 
quintal. 



Dollars. 
2.50 
3- 00 
3-50 
3- 50 
4. GO 
4. GO 
4. GO 
4.00 

14. 00 

12. GO 
14. GO 
18. 00 
16.00 



Net profit in the 
production of 
the year. 



Dollars, 

88, 232. 50 

135, 849. 00 
164 437. 00 
256,495. 50 
218, 324. 00 
289, 536.00 
2 So, 484. 00 
289, 404. 00 
958, 580. GO 
I. 057, 992. GO 

1, 178, 030. 00 

2, 048, 760. 00 
1,464, 640.00 



3© NICARAGUA. 

In Starting a coffee plantation, it is usual to form a nursery, 
where the seeds are planted at the beginning ot the rainy season — 
say April or May. Thus the young plants are growing while the 
land is being cleared. The following year, about the same time, 
the plants will be ready to set out, which is usually done when 
they have attained a height of 1 8 to 20 inches. The plants require 
plenty of air, light, and water, but should be sheltered from the 
full glare of the sun. The best time for watering is in the even- 
ing. Nursery beds should always be in operation, either for 
extending the plantation or replacing defective or worn-out trees. 
In transplanting, the new ground should be carefully prepared, 
and holes dug to receive the plants from 10 to 15 feet apart. 

The coffee tree is essentially a tender shrub, and needs protection 
from the sun from the time of planting and even for years after it 
has begun to bear. For this purpose, bananas, plantains, or quick- 
growing, wide-branching trees are planted between the rows. At 
no time, from its first sprouting until its death from old age, should 
a single weed be permitted to remain in the vicinity of a coffee 
plant. Even after the tree has reached maturity and is in full 
bearing the plantation must be thoroughly weeded five or six 
times in the course of the year. This work must be carefully 
done by hand. As the tree grows, it is improved in health and 
condition by pruning, but this must be judiciously done and at a 
time when it is not bearing. In two years, the trees will begin to 
bear a small number of berries, and at the end of three years, a fair 
crop will be produced, which will continue to increase until the 
plantation is seven years old, by which time it will have reached 
its maximum. For persons who have the necessary capital to 
start and cultivate a plantation and wait until its maturity for 
returns, there is no more profitable industry in existence at the 
present day. The fruit should never be picked until fully ripe, 
as any admixture of green berries has a detrimental effect on the re- 
mainder. After the berries have been picked, the preparation of the 



NICARAGUA. 



31 



coffee for the market must be carefully conducted, as on this depends 
in great measure the value of the crop. The berries are first lightly 
ground and washed in running water and allowed to ferment. In 
some cases the grinding is omitted, but the fermentation is essen- 
tial. The berries are thus freed from the outer skin and pulp 
which surrounds them. They are then spread out in the open air 
in patios or yards, where the drying is effected by the heat of the 
sun. After they are thoroughly dried, they are passed through a 
mill to remove the fine skin which covers each grain. The coffee 
thus prepared is then sorted, the grains being separated according 
to size and quality, and all broken and damaged ones removed. 
This work is usually performed by women and children. 

For some years past, in consequence of the high price of coffee, 
a great impulse has been given to its production. According to 
the public records, between December l, 1889, and December l, 
1890, 24,598 manzanas of public land were taken up, of which 
16,740 manzanas, it is estimated, were fit and intended for the 
cultivation of coffee. Of these, 8,491 manzanas are in the depart- 
ment of Matagalpa, and 4, 1 o l in that of Managua. In the depart- 
ment of Matagalpa alone, there are now about 2,000,000 of young 
trees under cultivation, which will begin to yield in about a year. 

The amount of coffee exported from Nicaragua during the ten 
years, 1881-1890, is as follows: 



Year. 



1881-82, 
1882-84, 
1884-86, 



Quantity. 



Pounds. 
12, 026, 200 
12, 696, 400 
14, 247, 200 



Year. 



1886-88. 
1888-90, 



Quantity. 



Pounds. 
12, 424, 300 
19, 786, 400 



The main obstacle in the past to the progress of this most im- 
portant industry has been the lack of facilities for transportation. 
But few of the roads are practicable for wagons or carts, necessi- 
tating the moving of freight on the backs of mules. The Gov- 



32 NICARAGUA. 

ernment is doing all in its power to remove this obstacle by making 
new wagon roads, and the opening of the railroad to the Pacific 
coast and the increase of steam navigation on the lakes have been 
of the greatest assistance. The freight on coffee by rail and 
steamer is as follows: 

From Granada to the port of Corinto, per lOO pounds, 65 cents. From 
Masaya to the port of Corinto, per 100 pounds, 62 cents. From Managua to 
the port of Corinto, per 100 pounds, 55 cents. 

Coffee can be shipped also by steamer on the lake from Granada 
to San Jorge, thence by wagons or carts to the port of San Juan 
del Sur on the Pacific; or it can be sent by v^ay of the lake and 
the San Juan River to San Juan del Nort( ^oreytown) on the 
Caribbean coast, but in the dry season, this route is inconvenient 
on account of the scarcity of water and obstructions in the river at 
certain localities. The construction of the Nicaragua Canal and 
of railroads that are projected to the Atlantic coast will give an 
immense impetus to coffee growing, as they will quicken and 
cheapen access to the markets of the United States and Europe. 

INDIA RUBBER. 

The production of India rubber is an important Industry in 
Nicaragua, but it is yearly decreasing from the reckless slaughter 
of the trees. Even with the most careful treatment, they will 
stand but a few years of tapping, and as they have not been culti- 
vated to any extent, the export of India rubber will dwindle into 
insignificance at no distant period, unless tliere is a change in this 
respect. 

India rubber, called in South America caucho, and in Central 
America hule^ is obtained in Nicaragua from the siphonia elastic a, 
a tree growing to 50 or 60 feet in height. The collectors of rub- 
ber, called Imleros, employ several methods to obtain it. The 
following are the three most generally used. 
-. 1. The trees are felled and V-shaped channels about 2 inches 



NICARAGUA. 33 

deep and 2^ inches v, ide at the top and cut around the trunk l foot 
apart, from vv^hich the sap or milk flows through funnels formed 
of leaves into calabashes of holes made in the ground and lined 
with leaves. 

2. The tree is left standing and two or three vertical channels, 
according to the size of the tree, are cut through the bark from 
top to base ; then numerous oblique channels are cut connecting 
with the vertical ones. To do this work, the huleros improvise 
ladders from the vines and creepers which everywhere abound in 
the tropical forests. T!^^ milk from these channels is collected in 
the same manner rs in the first process. 

3. The hulerob scrape off the outer bark of the tree with a 
" machete," commencing 8 or 1 o feet above and extending down 
to within 1 or 2 feet of the ground. A ridge of clay, or a vine 
and clay, is so placed around the tree as to direct the flow of the 
milk into the receivers at the foot. This process is somewhat 
similar to that used in the turpentine orchards of North Carolina, 
Alabama, and Mississippi. The milk having been collected, 
coagulation is hastened by adding to it a decoction made from 
the vines of the liana or vines of the convolvulus or morning 
glory tribe, which abound in the forests, in the proportion of 1 
pint of the decoction to a gallon of the milk. The rubber is then 
kneaded into round cakes. Sometimes, after the coagulating 
decoction is added to the milk, it is heated in the calabashes to 
160° or 175° F., which produces a more elastic and less sticky 
rubber than is obtained by other processes. 

The huleros make waterproof blankets and bags, which they 
prefer to any imported articles, as they do not become so heated 
when exposed to the sun and are less liable to crack or scale off. 
Their process is to spread the cloth on the ground, pour the milk 
over it, and distribute it evenly by paddles or cocoanut husks. A 
short exposure serves to dry the milk, and the goods are then ready 
for service. 

:3uU. 51 -3 



34 NICARAGUA. - 

Although the Government of Nicaragua has exercised no super- 
vision of the forests and has taken no steps to prevent the ruthless 
destruction of the rubber trees, it has endeavored to stimulate their 
cultivation by issuing a decree giving a premium of lo cents for 
every tree planted where the number does not go below 250 
planted by one person. The decree also provides that the trees 
must be planted in squares of not less than 6 varas for each plant, 
equal to about 16 feet. 

In all the lower regions of Nicaragua, particularly in those ex- 
tending toward the Caribbean coast, there are large tracts of land 
suitable for growing rubber trees, and there is no doubt that their 
cultivation would prove very profitable to anyone who could 
afford to wait for a return from the capital invested until the trees 
reach maturity, which is from seven to ten years, or they could be 
planted as an investment where the planter is deriving an income 
from the other crops. 

The value of the India rubber exported from Nicaragua, accord- 
ing to the latest report, which covered the period from July 1, 
1888, to June 30, 1890, was $519,447.85. 

BANANAS. 

The cultivation of bananas for export has hitherto been largely 
confined to the Caribbean coast, finding the principal outlet at 
Bluefields, in the Mosquito reservation ; but whenever the bars at 
the mouths of the rivers are improved so as to freely admit ocean 
steamers, and the interoceanic canal and railroads afford means of 
transportation, this fruit will become a still more prominent fea- 
ture in the exports from Nicaragua, and the large profits yielded 
to the producers will stimulate agricultural operations on thousands 
of acres of fertile but now unoccupied lands. 

The lands that have been generally used for the culture of ba- 
nanas are the rich alluvial deposits of the valleys and river bot- 
toms, but there are many upland regions where rain is abundant 



NICARAGUA. 35 

or water is plentifully supplied by other means, which will produce 
abundant crops ; and it is well known that bananas grown on high 
ground are finer fruit, being harder and less liable to damage from 
a sea voyage, and reach their destination in better condition. 
There is perhaps no industry in Central America that is more 
attractive to men of small capital than banana-growing, from the fact 
that the clearing of the land is effected cheaply and from the small 
cost of after cultivation which is limited only to such clearance 
of weeds and undergrowth as may be sufficient to allow access to 
the trees, and the short time necessary to produce a paying crop. 
When the trees and brush that have been cut in clearing the land 
become sufficiently dry, they are burned, and the banana suckers 
are then planted among the charred remains and ashes without any 
further preparation of the soil. The best results are obtained by 
giving the trees plenty of space, say from 15 to 18 feet apart. In 
about ten months, the first fruit can be gathered ; but in the second 
year, the trees reach maturity, and by a proper management of the 
fruit stalks in a fair-sized plantation, a constant succession in the 
crop may be secured and fruit gathered every week throughout the 
year. The only careful work necessary on a banana plantation is 
in handling the heavy bunches so as to avoid bruising them, as 
any such injury causes a black spot to appear, beneath which decay 
rapidly commences as the fruit ripens. The natives have learned 
by experience, when they cut into the fruit stalk, so to gauge the 
strength of the blow as to cut just deep enough to cause the stalk 
to bend slowly over until the end of the bunch reaches the ground 
when another slash with the machete severs it, and it is loaded 
carefully into the cart. A plantation of 40 manzanas (about 69 
acres) will, during and after the second year, produce about 54,000 
bunches. The lowest price paid for bananas, for some years past, 
is 37^ cents per bunch, which would give an annual value for the 
crop of $20,250, or more than double the expenditure for purchase 
of land, clearing, cultivating, gathering the crop, and all expenses 
to the end of the second vear. 



36 NICARAGUA. 

There is anotiier variety of the banana family, the plantain, with 
which the people of North America are only slowly becoming 
acquainted, but which deserves to be better known. Its production 
in Nicaragua need only be limited by the demand for it, which 
must become immense when its merits are appreciated. There, it 
is boiled, stewed, baked, roasted in the ashes, fried, dried and 
ground into flour, cooked in the skin or out of it, green or ripe, 
and produces vastly more nutriment per acre than is yielded by 
wheat, corn, or potatoes. When the cooks of the northern coun- 
tries learn its use, it will become as valuable an article of food as 
the potato, and its cultivation in Nicaragua will become a large 
business. 

CACAO. 

Cacao (^lieohroma cacao) Is too well known to need any expres- 
sion of opinion as to its value. That grown in Nicaragua is sold 
with advantage in the markets of the world. 

The tree which produces it seldom exceeds 20 feet in height. 
The leaves are large, oblong, and pointed. The nuts are con- 
tained in long oval-pointed pods. It produces two crops a year. 
The trees are planted about 15 feet apart. When young, the 
plants are delicate, requiring to be sheltered from the sun in the 
same manner as is practiced in coffee plantations. At first, 
plantains or bananas are used for that purpose, but other quick- 
growing trees, such as that called by the natives madre de cacao 
(mother of cacao), are planted with them ; and as these reach suf- 
ficient size, the plantains are cut down, leaving the trees as a per- 
manent shade. The cacao begins to bear in about seven years^ 
and continues to produce for from thirty to fifty years. Capital is 
therefore necessary to start a plantation, but when once well estab- 
lished and in full bearing, very little outlay is necessary, and the 
revenue is large, sure, and steady. It may be well to notice here 
the confusion that exists in the United States in respect to thv 



KlCARAGUA. 37 

words cocoa, cacao, and coca. Although very similar in sound, 
they represent widely different articles. 

Cocoa is the name of the species of palm that produces the 
cocoanut, a fruit too well known to need description ; also, the fiber 
so largely used for making matting, mats, brushes, etc. 

Cacao Is the fruit of the cacao tree (^heobro?na cacao) from which 
we obtain chocolate, and what is universally misnamed by the 
manufacturers as cocoa. 

Coca Is the name given to the South American shrub {Ery- 
throxylon coca) which Is used by the natives of Peru, Chili, and 
Bolivia, as the betel nut is in Asia, to allay hunger and thirst 
and supply a stimulant which gives energy to endure extraordi- 
nary exertion, and from which the well-known drug cocaine is 
prepared. 

SUGAR. 

Sugar cane grows in Nicaragua with extraordinary luxuriance. 
The canes are soft and contain no more woody substance or less sac- 
charine matter than those produced in the East or West Indies, 
while their duration Is wonderful. A crop can be secured within 
twelve months after planting, and thenceforward two, and in some 
localities, three crops a year can be cut for an indefinite number 
of years. It is not uncommon In traveling through the country 
to find fields of sugar cane In full production of which no one In 
the neighborhood can remember the date of planting. A great 
deal of the sugar manufactured In Nicaragua is of a coarse, brown 
quality, the juice being merely boiled until It crystallizes, without 
being cleared of the molasses. In this crude state, It is poured 
into molds forming small cakes, which are sold to the poorer 
classes. 

A very large quantity of the sugar cane is used in the manu- 
facture of a species of rum called aguardiente. The sale of spirits 
being a Government monopoly, the distillation can only be carried 



38 NICARAGUA. 

on by license, and is principally confined to the larger producers. 
The bulk of the sugar produced in the Republic is manufactured 
in the district of Jinotepe, in the Department of Granada, where, 
although very primitive and imperfect methods are employed, it 
is stated that in the year 1890 the production amounted to about 
2,500,000 pounds. The soil is admirably adapted for producing 
the cane, and a superior quality of sugar is made, but scarcity of 
water is a great drawback, and for this reason, unless artificial 
means of overcoming the difficulty can be devised, it will be impos- 
sible to carry on large plantations in the district. In the neighbor- 
hoods of Granada, San Rafael, and Pital, in the same department, 
there are also a number of plantations; those at Granada produc- 
ing from 300,000 to 400,000 pounds of good vacuum-pan sugar, 
while those near San Rafael and Pital yield annually about 
1 50,000 pounds of muscovado sugar. These plantations are under 
English management. 

A company with a capital of $300,000 has lately been started 
for the working of a large plantation in Chinandega, at a place 
known as San Antonio. It is intended to use a first-class plant, 
with all modern improvements as regards machinery and cultiva- 
tion, and to produce at least 300 tons of sugar yearly. Another 
company has taken in charge the Polvon plantation in the same 
department, and has imported new machinery capable of produc- 
ing 500 tons of sugar annually. In the department of Leon, 
there are two plantations, the Polvoncito and San Pedro, produc- 
ing together about 600,000 pounds of excellent vacuum-pan 
sugar. 

The total production for the year 1890 amounted to about 
3,500,600 pounds, in addition to which Nicaragua yearly imports 
from her neighbor Salvador nearly half that quantity. 

COTTON. 

Cotton is Indigenous in Nicaragua, and the finest quality can be 
produced in vast quantities. Columbus, when he discovered the 



NICARAGUA. 39 

country, found the natives dressed in garments of cotton cloth, 
and the Indians of the present day manufacture from it hammocks, 
sail cloth, and coarse cloth for clothing. The quantity raised is 
considerable, but entirely for home consumption, as, in spite of all 
natural advantages, Nicaragua can not compete, in raising cotton 
for export, with the capital, abundant labor, improved machinery, 
and ample facilities for transportation possessed by the United 
States; but if the time should arrive when Nicaraguan cotton will 
be required, either to supply manufactories at home, or in response 
to some demand from abroad, it can be produced in unlimited 
quantities and of quality equal to the best. Instead of being an 
annual plant as in the United States, it is here perennial, and, 
growing much larger, yields double the quantity that it does in 
the most favored locality in the Northern Republic 

OTHER AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. 

Com (maize) flourishes luxuriantly and forms, both for man 
and beast, literally the staff of life. Three crops can be raised from 
the same ground annually. 

Tobacco. — All the tobacco used in Nicaragua, which is consid- 
erable in quantity, as every one smokes, is raised in the country. 
It is of good quality and can be cultivated to any desired extent, 
as there are large tracts of land well adapted to its use. 

Rice is abundant and is extensively used. The climate and 
soil are suited to it, and it can be raised to supply all demands 
for it. 

Indigo and cochineal were formerly produced in large quantities, 
but as they have been superseded by the introduction of mineral 
dyes, the cultivation of these articles has almost entirely ceased, 
particularly of the latter. 

The yuca^ the yam (name), and the sweet potato are the principal 
farinaceous roots that are extensively cultivated. The potato also 
thrives well and produces large crops in the more elevated regions. 



40 NICARAGUA. 

The yuca Is not only useful for food, but valuable from an indus- 
trial point of view, as the starch it yields could readily be made 
an extensive article of commerce. 

The bread fruit grows to perfection in Nicaragua, although 
few of the natives seem to appreciate its full value. It can 
be easily raised from a slip and forms a tree with massive trunk 
and large dark green leaves, as handsome as it is useful. It 
begins to bear about three years after planting. It yields two crops 
in the year, one lasting through March and April and the other 
trom August to October, although if a variety of trees were planted 
judiciously the fruit could be obtained every month in the year. 
Each fruit will weigh from six to ten pounds, and it is delicious 
either fried or boiled. 

The cocoanut tree, which in the tropics is one of the most useful 
productions of nature, is abundant. It commences bearing at from 
five to seven years old and continues to yield for many years. On 
the Caribbean coast, it is an important article of commerce, although 
no efforts have been made to utilize the fiber of the husk, which 
in the East Indies has added so largely to the profits derived from 
cocoanut groves. 

Frijoles^ the brown beans that form such a prominent article of 
diet throughout Spanish America, are produced abundantly in all 
parts of the Republic, while all other edibles and fruits of the 
tropics yield ample crops, such as oranges, lemons, limes, citrons, 
shaddocks, pine apples, fnameys, chtnmoyas, guavas, mangoes^ and 
aguacates (alligator pears). The vegetables of the temperate zone 
grow luxuriantly in the more elevated districts, where cabbages, 
turnips, radishes, lettuce, ^^^ plants, and tomatoes can be obtained 
with a minimum of labor and care. 

CATTLE-RAISING INDUSTRY. 

Cattle-raising is one of the greatest sources of the public wealth 
of Nicaragua. Its production is large enough to supply with 



NICARAGUA. ^j 1 

abundance all the necessities of home consumption, and to allow 
a very profitable commerce in the exportation of cattle. 

Large haciendas^ O'SNntd by the richest and most influential peo- 
ple of the country, are entirely devoted to this industry. 

According to Seiior Gamez, dairy farms in considerable num- 
bers have been established in the neighborood of the principal 
cities and towns of the Republic, and are doing well. 



Chapter VI. 



THE INTEROCEANIC CANAL. 

While the question of interoceanic communication across the 
American Isthmus has been continually presented to the attention 
of the civilized world, with more or less persistency, since the days 
of Columbus, and while the route by way of the San Juan River 
and Lake Nicaragua has always been among those which offered 
the strongest claims for consideration, yet the special prominence 
of that route as a means to the end proposed may be said to date 
from the beginning of this century only, when that eminent ex- 
plorer and scientist, the Baron Alexander Von Humboldt, pub- 
lished the account of observations made by him during a period 
of ten years spent in explorations and scientific research in the 
Spanish-American States of South and Central America. In his 
"Personal Narrative of Travels," Volume VI, he remarks: 

The five points that present the practicability of a communication from sea 
to sea are situated between the fifth and eighteenth degrees of north latitude. 

They all consequently belong to the States washed by the Atlantic — to the 
territory of the Mexican and Colombian Confederacies, or, to use the ancient 
geographical denominations, to the intendencies of Oaxaca and Vera Cruz and 
the provinces of Nicaragua, Panama, and Choco. 

They are the Isthmus of Tehauntepec (latitude i6°-i8°), between the sources 
of the Rio Chimalapa and the Rio del Passo, which empties itself into the Rio 
Huascualco or Goazcoalcos. 

The Isthmus of Nicaragua (latitude io°-l2°), between the port of San Juan 
de Nicaragua and the coast of the Gulf of Papajuyo, near the volcanoes of 
Granada and Mombacho. 
42 



PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE NICARAGUA CANAL 




Pacific Ocean brito tola basin 



Inactive Volcanoes Lake Nicaragua soLENTiNAne is. fort san carlos rk 



OMBTEPB and HADBRA 



(JUAN RIO SAN CARLOS OCHOA DAM EASTERN LOCKS SAN JUAN DEL NORTE Atlantic OcCail 

FORT CASTILLO DIVIDE OR gREVTOWN "l"a""^ ">* 

SAN FRANCISCO BASIN DESEADO BASINS. 



NICAR>^GUA. 



43 



The Isthmus of Panama (latitude 8° is'~9° 3^')' 
The Isthmus of Darien or Cupica (latitude 6° /\.o'—y° 12'). 
The canal of Raspadura, between the Rio AtraU) and the Rio San Tuai) ae 
Choco (latitude 4° 48-5° 20'). 

After some general remarks concerning features of the different 
routes, Von Humboldt continues : " The Isthmus of Nicaragua and 
that of Cupica have always appeared to me the most favorable for 
the formation of canals of large dimensions;" and what is very 
significant of his opinion as to the comparative advantages of 
these two routes is that, in his illustration of the advantages to 
commerce of a trans-isthmian canal, he uses the Nicaraguan route 
as the standard of his comparisons and the premise of his argu- 
ments. Though more recent and more exact information has not 
fully corroborated all of his opinions, it has fully confirmed all 
that he said or implied concerning the Nicaraguan route. A few 
years after the completion of his explorations, the Central Amer- 
ican provinces threw off the yoke of Spain and became inde- 
pendent states confederated as the Republic of the Centre. One 
of the earliest acts of the Government of the new Republic was 
to empower and instruct Senor Don Antonio Jose Canaz, envoy 
extraordinary to the United States, to call the attention of the 
United States Government to the project of opening a canal for 
communication between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in the 
province of Nicaragua. Senor Canaz accordingly, on the 8th of 
February, 1825", addressed a communication to the Department 
of State, at Washington, upon the subject. The Secretary of 
State, in his reply, gave Senor Canaz assurance of the deep interest 
felt by the United States Government in the undertaking, and 
promised an official investigation of the facilities offered for its 
accomplishment by the Nicaraguan route. 

In pursuance of the assurance thus given, the United States 
charge d'affaires in Central America was instructed to make tlie 
investigation promised and to report thereon. From that time 
onward, the United States have given more or less attention to the 



44 NICARAGUA. 

investigation of the question of isthmian transit, at times by indi- 
vidual or associated enterprise of private citizens, but more fre- 
quently under the direct control and direction and at the expense 
of the Government. 

In 1826, a survey and estimate of cost — very inadequate, how- 
ever — were made under the auspices of De Witt Clinton, Stephen 
Van Rensselaer, and Monroe Robinson, of New York, Edward 
Forsyth, of Louisiana, and C. J. Catlett, of the District of 
Columbia, and others. 

In 1831, the Secretary of State instructed the United States 
charge d'affaires in Central America to protect the interests of 
citizens of his country in certain negotiations concerning a canal 
then pending with the King of the Netherlands. 

In 1835, Congress ordered an inspection of the different routes, 
and an agent was appointed, who, however, failed to comply with 
his instructions. 

In 1837-38, a survey of the route was made for the Govern- 
ment of Nicaragua by Lieut. John Bailey. 

In 1838, Messrs. Aaron Clark, Herman LeRoy, William Rad- 
cliffe, of New York, Matthew Gary, of Philadelphia, and others 
memorialized Congress concerning the subject, in consequence of 
which a committee was appointed and a report made, and, in 1839, 
Mr. John L. Stephens was sent on a special and confidential 
mission to Central America, during which mission he made an 
investigation of the canal route and subsequently submitted a 
report upon it. 

In 1844, the Nicaraguan Government solicited the aid of the 
French Government in prosecution of the undertaking, but failed 
to obtain any valuable cooperation. 

In 1847, Nicaragua solicited the intervention of the United 
States against the attempts of Great Britain to secure control of 
the interoceanic canal route. This resulted in the negotiation of 
the Hise-Selva treaty, which, though never ratified, appears to 



NICARAGUA. 43* 

have been an important factor in the negotiation of the Clayton- 
Bulwer treaty in 1849, under which treaty, the United States 
understood that Great Britain relinquished the attempt so obnox- 
ious to Nicaragua. 

In 1849, ^^ ^^^ same time with the ratification of the Clayton- 
Bulwer treaty, a concession was granted by Nicaragua to Cor- 
nelius Vanderbilt and his associates for an interoceanic canal. 
Under its provisions, a survey of the route was made, in i85o-'5i, 
by Col. O. W. Childs, of Philadelphia, who is entitled to the 
credit of discovering and pointing out the lowest depression in the 
Cordillera between the Arctic Ocean and Cape Horn. His was 
the first thorough instrumental examination of the whole route, of 
which a record has been preserved, that responds fully to the 
demands of engineering science, and its general accuracy has been 
fully confirmed by all subsequent explorations. 

The canal proposed by Mr. Vanderbilt was not built,'and after 
several modifications of the contract, made at the request of the 
grantees, the concession finally lapsed and was declared forfeited 
by the Nicaraguan Government. 

In 1858, a concession was granted to Felix Belly, of Paris, and 
associates, for construction of a canal by the route proposed by 
Col. Childs. 

Mr. Belly had devoted many years of his life to explorations 
and to the solution of the Isthmian transit problem. He was an 
enthusiast concerning the advantages of the Nicaraguan line, but 
neither his knowledge nor his zeal won success. For several 
years, Central American affairs were in a very disturbed condition, 
and later on, the civil war in the United States had a discouraging 
effect upon the successful inauguration of large enterprises on this 
continent. Before Mr. Belly succeeded in obtaining the neces- 
sary funds, notwithstanding the favorable disposition of the Nic- 
araguan Government, his concession lapsed. 

In 1852, there was commenced a series of explorations cover- 
ing the whole of the American Isthmus. Some were undertaken 



46 NICARAGUA. 

by individual enterprise directed to particular routes, but the more 
important were under the control and direction of the United 
States Government, the object being to secure a systematic exam- 
ination of any and all the routes which presented any possibilities 
of a practicable solution of the problem. These explorations 
were carried on with more or less continuity until 1880; every 
locality possessing any claims for consideration was carefully 
examined, and data were accumulated for a competent and impar- 
tial comparison. The route through Nicaragua was explored in 
1872-73 and made the subject of a thorough report by Comman- 
der E. P. Lull, aided by Mr, A. G. Menocal as chief engineer. 

In 1872, President Grant appointed a commission, consisting of 
Gen. A. A. Humphreys, Chief of Engineers, U. S. Army; Capt. 
C. C. Patterson, Superintendent of the Coast Survey; and Admiral 
Daniel Ammen, U. S. Navy, Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, 
"to examine into, make suggestions, and report upon the subject 
of interoceanic ship canal communication." 

In 1876, the Commission reported as follows: 

To the President of the United States : 

The Commission appointed by you to consider the subject of communication 
by canal between the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across, over, or 
near the isthmus connecting North and South America, have the honor, after 
a long, careful, and minute study of the several surveys of the various routes 
across the continent, unanimously to report: 

That the route known as the "Nicaragua route," beginning on the Atlantic 
side at or near Greytown, running by canal to the San Juan River, thence fol- 
lowing its left bank to the mouth of the San Carlos River, at which point navi- 
gation of the San Juan River begins and by the aid of three short canals of the 
aggregate length of 3.5 miles reaches Lake Nicaragua, from thence across the 
lake and through the valleys of the Rio del Medio and the Rio Grande to what 
is known as the port of Brito, on the Pacific coast, possesses, both for the con- 
struction and maintenance of a canal, greater advantages and offers fewer diiE- 
culties from engineering, commercial, and economic points of view than any of 
the other routes shown to be practicable by surveys sufficiently in detail to 
enable a judgment to be formed of their relative merits, as will be briefly pre- 
sented in the appended memorandum. 



NICARAGUA. dfj 

In 1879, ^^ report was printed by order of Congress and the 
subject occupied the attention of one House or the other in the 
sessions of 1879, 1880, and 1881. 

In 1880, a concession for a canal was again obtained from Nica- 
ragua, this time by Capt. S. L. Phelps and his associates; but the 
failure of the bankers, with whom negotiations for capital were 
under consideration, prevented the achievement of the project. 

The United States Government, at this point, became alive to 
the importance of facilitating the work as a national enterprise. 
In December, 1884, there was submitted to Congress a treaty 
which had been negotiated with Nicaragua for the construction of 
the canal by the United States and its joint ownership by the two 
Governments. At the same time, Mr. A. G. Menocal, civil en- 
gineer United States Navy, was ordered to Nicaragua to make 
final surveys for the Government. The treaty, however, failed of 
ratification by the Senate, and, the administration having changed, 
it was withdrawn for further consideration and was not again pre- 
sented. 

In 1887, the concession now held by the Maritime Canal Com- 
pany of Nicaragua was granted to the Nicaragua Canal Association 
and the work of final survey and location was commenced thereunder 
by the association without delay. Early in 1888, a movement was 
made to secure a charter from the United States Government for 
the incorporation of the concessionary company. Bills were in- 
troduced in the Senate and House of Representatives for the 
purpose. That before the Senate passed without delay and, being 
identical in form, was permitted to take the place of the House 
bill. It finally passed the House, February 7, 1889, ^^^ ^"^^ 
approved by the President and became a law February 20, 1 889. 
On May 4, the Maritime Canal Company, thus incorporated, was 
formally organized. In the meantime, the association had also 
caused to be incorporated, as a necessary adjunct, a construction 
company, under whose direction the surveys and the work which 
had been commenced were carried on. 



48 NICARAGUA. 

Since that time, the work of construction has progressed slowly, 
but steadily, until its recent suspension for lack of funds, demon- 
strating, step by step, the correctness of tlie theories and plans of 
the projectors of the enterprise. 

The following is a concise description of the work proposed: 

San Juan del Norte, or Greytown, on the Atlantic, and Brito, on the Pacific, 
are the termini of the canal. Its length from port to port is 169^ miles, of 
which 26% will be excavated channel and 142^ miles is lakes, rivers, and basins. 
The summit level is necessarily that of Lake Nicaragua, 1 10 feet above the sea. 
There will be three locks near either end. The summit level commences 1 z% 
miles from the Atlantic and extends to within ^% miles of the Pacific. The 
summit reach will, therefore, be 153X miles long. 

For g% miles from the inner harbor at San Juan del Norte, the canal extends 
southwesterly across the lowlands of the coast to the foothills of the Cordillera, 
known as the Eastern Divide, where is located the first of the three eastern locks. 
Up to this point, the formation through which the canal is to be cut is entirely 
alluvial and will be excavated by machinery. The locks follow in close succes- 
sion: No. 1 at g% miles, as above stated, with a lift of 31 feet; No. 2, ij^ mileS 
further on, with a lift of 30 feet, and No. 3 about 2% miles farther on, with a 
lift of 45 feet. Here commences the summit level of the canal, at an elevation 
of 106 feet above the sea, which allows 4 feet of fall from the lake for fiowage. 
Beyond the locks, a cutting is to be made through the eastern divide to the river 
San Juan, at a place called Ochoa, near to its junction with the San Carlos, where 
a large dam of the same elevation as lock No. 3 will be built, which, with such 
other embankments as are ascertained to be requisite, will impound the waters 
of the river and of small tributary streams in their valleys, forming a series of 
large basins at the elevation determined by Ochoa dam and by the locks. 

The material to be moved in the excavation through the divide is principally 
solid, homogeneous rock and vs^ill all be needed and used in building dams, em- 
bankments, breakwaters, and other structures, for which it will also furnish a 
sufficient supply. The cutting through the divide will be about 3 miles long, 
with an average depth of 141 feet. 

The dam at Ochoa is to hold the waters of the river permanently at the height 
of 106 feet above the sea. The lake level will be 110 feet. The difference, 
three-quarters of an inch per mile in the 64 miles of river, is taken as the slope 
necessary to enable a free discharge of the lake and river waters. By this darn, 
slack-water navigation all the way to the lake will be secured, and, with the 
exception of 28 miles above Toro Rapids, the navigation channel will be 1,000 
feet wide and from zS to 1 30 feet deep. Rock blasting and dredging above Toro 



NICARAGUA. 49 

to the lake will be required to an average depth of ^^ feet in several localities; 
in all, for 24 miles. When the river channel is deepened it will have a bottom 
width of 125 feet and a top width from 500 to 1,500 feet. At two or three 
points the river bends will be improved by. removal of projecting promontories, 
so as to decrease abruptness of the curves. The San Carlos debouches into the 
Rio San Juan a few miles above Ochoa. The hills bounding its valley on the 
east are not continuous at the proposed water level, and several embankments 
of inconsiderable height will be required to retain the waters backed up in the 
San Juan. 

Dredging in Lake Nicaragua to an average depth of 10 feet in soft mud bottom, 
width 150 feet, for 14 miles from the shore, will secure a navigable channel of 
30 feet to deep water. 

From this point, the course of the canal is across the lake to the mouth of the 
Rio Lajas, where the western division of the canal commences. From the mouth 
of the Rio Lajas across the Western Divide, which is 43 feet above the canal level, 
to the valley of the Rio Grande and the Tola Basin, for 9 miles from the lake, 
there will be required considerable earth and rock excavation. About ^% miles 
farther on, near La Flor, are located locks Nos. 4 and 5 and a large dam which 
impounds the waters of the Tola Basin. These locks terminate the summit level 
of the canal. They are close together, and will have a lift of 42^ feet each. 
Lock No. 6, about 1% miles beyond, is the last of the western series, and will 
lower the canal to the level of the Pacific, with a lift of 21 to 29 feet, varying 
according to tidal conditions. From lock No. 6 to Brito, the western terminus, 
is \% miles of alluvial excavation. 

The terminal harbors of the canal will, in the case of San Juan del Norte, 
require restoration, and in the case of Brito, construction. 

The plans for the restoration of the port of San Juan del Norte, which, until 
i860, was* easily accessible for vessels of 20 feet draft, but since then has been 
closed by drifting sands, are based on long-continued observation and investi- 
gation, and particularly take cognizance of the fact that the northwesterly move- 
ment of the ocean sands (brought to the coast from the mountains by the lower 
San Juan and its tributaries), under the influence of the prevailing winds, have 
extended the sand pits entirely across the entrance and sealed the port. 

It is intended to oppose to the further movements of the sand drift a solid 
jetty or breakwater, about 3,000 feet long, projecting seawards at right angles 
to the shore line, to the 6-fathom curve, then to dredge under the lee of this 
jetty a new entrance. The shifting sands, arrested by this structure, will accu- 
mulate in the angle formed by it and the coast. As the triangular space becomes 
filled, the water may shoal towards the sea end of the jetty, and this will neces- 
sitate its extension until the new shore line is at right angles to the prevailing 
Bull. 51 4 



p 



NICARAGUA. 



wind, which, it will be remembered, is the northeast ''trades." Eighteen hun- 
dred feet of the jetty, constituting its shore end, is to be built of creosoted 
timber, filled in with rock or concrete and fascines, the stone to be brought from 
the divide cut and laid or deposited at random. 

The entrance channel is to be 30 feet deep and 500 feet wide at that depth. 
The inner basin or harbor proper, the depth of which is to be increased to 30 
feet, is to have an area of upwards of 200 acres, which, with the enlarged section 
of the port reach of canal, gives a total harbor area of about 350 acres, exclusive 
of the remainder of the inner bay, where, throughout a considerable area, there 
is now a depth of from 10 to 20 feet. 

Brito, the western terminus, is not now a harbor in any proper sense of the 
word, or even a roadstead, yet the practicability of constructing a harbor at 
this point has never been questioned, the only difference of opinion being as to 
details. 

The Rio Grande discharges here; its lower course for 6,000 feet back from 
the beach is through a low valley, which, it is believed, once formed a large bay. 
A high, rocky promontory, connecting with the interior ridge, juts out into the 
ocean just north of the river mouth. It is proposed to build from this rocky 
point a breakwater 900 feet long, its extremity to be in 7 fathoms of water; 
also to build another jetty, normal to the beach, 830 feet long, the extremity of 
the latter to be nearly opposite and some 800 feet distant from the sea end of 
the former. A considerable area of deep water will be thus inclosed ; but the 
principal portion of the harbor will be formed by excavation in alluvium, thus 
securing a deep, broad basin, penetrating 3,000 feet from the present shore line 
and 3,900 feet from the entrance. 

The work of canal construction on the plan thus outlined went 
forward systematically until the summer of 1893. What has 
been accomplished, briefly stated, is as follows : 

As soon as the first corps of engineers was landed, the surveying parties were 
organized and at once pushed out. Traversing the lowlands for a few miles 
back of San Juan del Norte were some sluggish streams, whose courses favored 
the idea of utilization for water-borne carriage of supplies. A steam snag boat 
was immediately set at work removing the obstructions, and barriers too heavy and 
massive for displacement otherwise were broken up with dynamite. The San 
Juanillo and Deseado were thus cleared and utilized for a distance of upwards 
of 30 miles of their course, but the streams were so crooked that the actual 
land mileage accomplished was only about one-third the distance by water. 
Then trails for the packers were cut out and footbridges built across impeding 



NICARAGUA. 5*1 

Streams and ravines, so that supplies could be transported with certainty, though 
slowly, to and beyond the eastern divide. 

The San Juan River has long been used by a steamboat transportation com- 
pany, and a large part of the produce of Nicaragua has, for forty years, been 
moved from the interior by this route. Steam transport, via the river, was, 
of course, availed of by the engineers when it served their needs, but much of the 
surveying work was remote from the river, and hence its unavailability, except 
in the region beyond "the divide" towards Ochoa, where the canal and river 
were in closer proximity. The canal line, beyond the dividing ridge, intersected 
the valleys of the San Francisco, Chanchos, and Danta. The channels of these 
streams were also cleared and made available for canoe traffic from the San 
Juan River. 

Numerous camps and depots of supplies were constructed and stocked wher- 
ever necessary, and fleets of light steel canoes were employed as means of com- 
munication and supply. 

At the site of all important works, such as dams, embankments, and locks, 
as well as at the points where heavy cuttings will be required, subterranean 
examinations have been made in great numbers. Earth augers were used where 
there was no rock, and when this was encountered, the annular diamond drill 
was used and cores of the rock itself brought up and preserved for future refer- 
ence and examination by engineers and contractors proposing to submit tenders 
for work. Owing to the transportation difficulties, steam drills were impracti- 
cable and the work was accomplished with hand power. 

The necessity of securing at once a safe entrance to the old harbor was real- 
ized as indispensable to economical and rapid progress, and the first work of 
actual construction begun was in execution of the engineers' plans for restoring 
the harbor. One of the means to this end was the erection of a breakwater 
for protection of the entrance. 

As the pier advanced, it afforded a partial shelter to the beach to leeward, 
and also served as a barrier to the moving beach sand, which, impelled by the 
waves and prevailing winds, had formerly been driven constantly to the west- 
ward, and so built up and maintained the sand spit that thirty years ago closed 
the old port San Juan. 

This artificial interruption to the operation of the winds and current, which 
were always active in bringing sand to build and renew the beach, permitted 
countervailing forces of nature to come into play, and the result was that, by 
the time the pier had been pushed out 600 feet, the sand beach under its lee 
was swept away and an open channel formed, communicating from the open 
ocean to the old harbor, now restored to the extent of permitting the entrance 
of light-draft seagoing vessels, and this at a point where, aix months before, was 



52 NICARAGUA. 

a sand bank 3 or 4 feet above the sea level. The outer end of the pier is in 20 
feet of water, and a force is constantly engaged in filling in the spaces between 
the piles with mattresses, rock, and concrete. The depth of the channel under its 
lee reached 10 feet when the structure had been extended to 800 feet. In the 
winter of 1890— '91, a dredge increased this depth to about 15 feet, and this has 
been maintained since, except in very restricted areas, which are easily deepened 
by the dredging machines, if necessary. 

During the summer of 1889, permanent buildings were begun, and building 
constructions have been in progress ever since. The structures are all of wood 
(pine from the United States) and roofed with corrugated galvanized iron. 
The offices, quarters, and hospitals are all ceiled and painted inside, have wide 
verandas outside, and are neat and comfortable. All the permanent buildings 
so far erected are in the immediate vicinity of San Juan, for at this point, is 
located the general headquarters, and here have been concentrated the most 
important operations. 

The buildings now occupied consist of five groups, as follows : Headquarters, 
8 buildings; hospital, 10 buildings; La Fe depot, 8 buildings; railroad head- 
quarters, 9 buildings; Camp Cheney, 4 buildings; in all, 39 buildings. 

Besides the above, there have been constructed numerous and extensive wharves 
equipped for unloading freight, sheds, small outhouses, water tanks, etc. The 
machine and smiths' shops are equipped with a varied and extensive assortment 
of modern machine tools, and a tramway connects the more important of these 
establishments. 

Work in clearing the canal line of forest growth was begun in January, 1890, 
and for a distance of about 10 miles back from the coast, the clearing has the 
full width of 486 feet. The same work was commenced on the west side of 
Lake Nicaragua in the month of November, 1890, and for a distance of 9 miles, 
this ground is made ready for the active construction work. 

The necessity for a telegraph line reaching to the interior, connecting with 
the telegraph system of the country and the ocean cables, very soon became 
apparent. The construction of aline was commenced and soon pushed through 
to Castillo, with its loops amounting to 60 miles. 

As the heaviest body of work to be accomplished on the whole line is concen- 
trated within a distance of 3 miles, at what has been designated as the " East- 
ern Divide," and as the time that will be required to complete the'canal is 
measured by the time spent in the opening of this deep cut, it was felt to be 
important to install a plant for heavy rock-cutting at the earliest date possible. 
But so great were the difficulties of transporting heavy machinery, etc., from 
the harbor to the site that it was at once apparent there was no alternative to be 
considered but the immediate construction of a railroad, The road was begun 




Dredges, Nicaragua Canal. 



NICARAGUA. 5*3 

in the summer of 1890. It extends across what had always been considered an 
impassable swamp. For the first 10 miles, there are but about 4 miles of nat- 
urally hard ground. 

There are several places along the line where streams and other water courses 
are crossed. These are spanned by pile bridges, and a powerful steam pile- 
driver has been used in their construction. The length of road already built is 
1 1 miles; — the most difficult of the whole line — and 7 miles remain to be com- 
pleted in order to reach the ''divide." There are several miles of side track, 
switches, etc., already put down. 

The road is equipped for construction work, and supplied with four locomo- 
tives, fifty cars, steam shovel, ballast unloader, jacks, and other requisite appli- 
ances. All the cross-ties and bridge timbers are of Northern pine and charged 
with 16 pounds creosote oil to the cubic foot. At the railroad terminus in the 
harbor is a fine wharf 264 feet long, built in the best manner of creosoted timber 
and equipped with modern steam conveniences for handling freight rapidly. 

The survey for the remainder of the line, extending to the San Juan River at 
Ochoa, has been completed ; in fact, there have been two lines surveyed and 
profiles prepared in sufficient detail to enable a close estimation of cost. 

In the summer of 1890, there was purchased from the American Contracting 
and Dredging Company the very extensive and valuable plant used so success- 
fully on the eastern end of the Panama Canal from the year 1881 to the collapse 
of that enterprise in 1888. It consisted of seven dredges, the most powerful 
ever built; two fine tugboats, twenty lighters, several launches, and a vast 
quantity of tools, spare parts, materials for repair and renewals, an entire 
machine shop, stationary engines, pumps, etc. Many of the articles are in 
abundance sufficient for completion of the canal. During the autumn of 1890, 
this property was transferred to San Juan del Norte. Upon its arrival, portions 
of it were immediately equipped for work, and three of the dredges have since 
been in use for various periods — two upon the line of the canal proper and a 
third in increasing the depth of the water at various points in the harbor and 
upon the bar. The canal line, to the width of 280 feet and depth of 17 feet, has 
been opened for 3,000 feet inland from the harbor, the material excavated being 
sand almost wholly. No buried wood or other obstructions to free dredging 
has been found. 

Under a provision of the concession, the Canal Company has the right to 
expropriate private lands found requisite for its uses. It also possessed similar 
rights as against a company which held the exclusive privilege of navigating the 
San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua with steam vessels. In 1889, the Con- 
struction Company became the purchaser of the rights and property of the 
steamboat company, and since the purchase has opened the line in the interest 



54 NICARAGUA. 

of tne canal. The franchise is valuable independently, but in connection with 
construction its ownership became necessary to the company. Considerable 
acquisitions of private lands between Lake Nicaragua and the Pacific have been 
made under the expropriation provisions mentioned. 

The country through which the course of the canal is laid for 
the first lo miles from the coast is a flat, alluvial formation, the 
accumulation of centuries, with occasional lagoons and swamps 
covered with zacate and silico palms or the primeval forests and a 
dense, tangled, almost impenetrable, mass of underbrush and vines. 
From thence its course is through wooded and fertile valleys be- 
tween low hills to the divide cut, and thence to a connection at 
Ochoa with the San Juan; above Ochoa, it receives the waters of 
the San Carlos. From the mouth of the San Carlos, the course of 
the San Juan — then and thereafter the route of the canal — is 
through what may be termed the highlands of the river, the abut- 
ting flanks of the Cordillera. Sixteen miles above the San Carlos 
occur the Machuca Rapids ; 5 and 6 miles farther on, Balas ; 6 
miles beyond are Castillo Rapids, the most important of all ; and 
9 miles farther the Toro Rapids, beyond which, to the lake, the 
course of the river is through a broad valley of lowlands, bounded 
by remote hills. Above the San Carlos and at Machuca, the for- 
ests which clothe the banks of the river are tropical in luxuriance. 
The lofty trees are draped with vines which creep and twine among 
their branches and droop to the water's edge in massive walls of 
verdure. 

Above Machuca there are occasional clearings — where the lands 
are cultivated or grazed — through which the distant hills appear. 
At other places the hills themselves rise with steep and almost 
precipitous slopes directly from the river. Squier likens this part 
of the river to the highlands of the Hudson. At Castillo is an old 
Spanish fort, garrisoned by the Nicaraguan Government. It was 
considered impregnable by its builders, but was captured by a 
British force in 1780. Post Captain (afterwards Admiral) Nelson 
was in command of the naval corps of the expedition. 



NICARAGUA. 55* 

The erection of a dam at Ochoa and the execution of other 
works of canalization will, of course, change many of the present 
aspects of the river, deepening its waters over the rapids, and in 
numerous places expanding them into broad and lake-like surfaces, 
adding to its advantages for navigation and to its beauties as part 
of an already delightful landscape. One important peculiarity of 
the San Juan, already adverted to, should be particularly noted. 
It is exempt from the floods common to other tropical streams. 
This is owing to the fact that the great lakes serve as receiving 
reservoirs, on the broad expanses of which the rainfall is stored 
and from which it is delivered slowly instead of being concen- 
trated from the adjacent hillsides into narrow valleys, and thus 
massed into rushing torrential floods. 

The commercial problem which the opening of a canal across 
Nicaragua would solve is the same to-day as that which stimulated 
Columbus and his contemporaries and successors to their arduous 
efforts. The only difference is in the increased magnitude of its 
advantages. 

It is still the discovery of a direct east and west route for the 
commerce of the world. Four centuries ago, that commerce con- 
sisted of the interchange of commodities between Europe and 
Asia. Since that time, there has been added to the nations then 
existing and to their growth in population, production, and con- 
sumption, a new continent, peopled now by 100,000,000 inhabit- 
ants, to whom the advantages of such a route for extension of their 
commerce is proportionately greater in a degree almost beyond 
computation than it was believed in the fifteenth century that it 
would be, if discovered, to the Spain, or France, or 'England, of 
those days, or than it can be to them to-day when completed. 



Chapter VII. 



RAILROADS AND TRANSPORTATION. 

The existing railroad system of Nicaragua consists of two sepa- 
rate divisions. The first commences at the port of Corinto, on the 
Pacific, and terminates at Momotombo, on the northwestern shore 
of Lake Managua, where it connects with the line of steamers 
plying on the lake. 

The stations and distances are : 

From Corinto to — Miles. 

Chinandega .' 13 

Chichigalpa 21 

Posoltega 25 

Quezalguaque 29 

Le6n 35 

La Paz 50 

Momotombo 58 

The second division commences at the capital, Managua, on the 
southern shore of the lake of that name, and terminates at Granada, 
on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua. 

From Managua to — Miles. 

Sabana Grande 8 

Portillo , II 

Campuzano 14 

Nindiri 17 

Masaya lO 

San Bias . '. 21 

Granada 32 

The distance from the port of Corinto is therefore : 

Miles. 

Corinto to Momotombo, by railroad 58 

Momotombo to Managua, by lake steamboat 32 

Managua to Granada, by railroad 32 

122 

56 



NICARAGUA. ^J 

At Granada, connection is made with the steamboat service on 
the lake and San Juan River, running to San Juan del Norte 
(Greytown), on the Caribbean coast, thus forming an interoceanic 
trunk line of communication through the country. 

The above-named railroads and steamboat line on Lake Managua 
are owned and operated by the Government. The railroads were 
only completed throughout in 1886, but they had an immediate 
and most gratifying effect on the commerce and progress of the 
country. The total cost for the Government amounted to 
$2,005,583.90, most of which was paid out of economies made in 
several branches of the public service. The first division of the 
railroad was opened to the public on February 27, 1884, the 
second on May 1, 1886. 

There are three classes of passenger coaches in use on these roads, 
first, second, and third class. The charge for first-class passengers 
is a little over 5" cents per mile, but in the third-class, the fare is 
somewhat less than 2'^ cents per mile. First-class passengers are 
allowed 40 pounds of baggage free; third-class passengers, 25 
pounds. All above this quantity is charged as first-class freight. 

The rolling stock is all of American manufacture ; the locomo- 
tives use wood as fuel. The first-class cars have a smoking com- 
partment at one end, but in other respects are like the first-class 
cars used in the United States. The third-class cars are similar 
to the ordinary smoking cars run on the railroads in the United 
States, and they are used in the same way, as the women of the 
laboring classes smoke as much as the men. The cars are clean 
and comfortable, and the roads are well managed. Freight is 
divided into six classes, and is carried at rates varying from about 
25 cents per ton per mile for first class to about 6 cents per ton 
for that of the fifth class. The sixth class is for dyewoods, which 
are charged at about 3^ cents per ton per mile. 

According to Senior Gamez, this railroad yields annually to the 
Government a net profit of about $100,000. 



58 NICARAGUA. 

The account for 1890 was: 

Gross receipts $295, 860. 20 

Expenses 187, 851. 23 

Net profit 108, 009. 06 

representing an interest of a little over 6^ per cent per annum. 
The movement of passengers in 1 890 was as follows : 

First-class passengers 41, gio 

Second-class 41, 014 

Third-class 292, 937 

Total 375, 861 

WAGON OR COMMON ROADS. 

The topography of Nicaragua, especially all along the Pacific 
coast, is very favorable for the construction and preservation of 
wagon roads. Nature itself aids the Government in keeping them 
in good condition. 

The carreta, drawn by oxen, is the principal means of transporta- 
tion used on these roads. 

There are two lines of stages between Granada and Rivas (51 
miles), and between Masaya and Jinotepe (18 miles), subsidized 
by the Government, the former with $150 per month, and the 
latter with $50 also per month. They make daily trips during 
the dry season. 

TRAFFIC ON LAKE MANAGUA. 

The steamers plying on the lake belonged originally to a 
private company liberally subsidized by the Government. The 
charges which they made were so onerous that it became necessary 
for the commercial interests either to establish a new line, which 
would make competition with the old one in existence, or to induce 
the Government to buy the whole concern and organize the service 
upon a satisfactory basis. In pursuance of this plan a second com- 
pany was organized, but when it was about to receive a steamer 



NICARAGUA. 59 

which had been built in England by its order, the Government 
saw the necessity of making this service national and of freeing 
it from all contingencies. Contracts were then entered into with 
the two companies, and their vessels, as well as the whole property 
which belonged to them, became the property of the Government. 

The first advantage which was derived from this transaction, 
besides a considerable reduction in the rates of freight, was the 
establishment of regular connections with the railroad trains, so as 
to cause the whole trip from Corinto to Granada, or vice versa, to 
be made in one day. 

The movement during the first six months of the new arrange- 
ment was as follows : 

Gross proceeds $33,231.09 

Expenses 13, 241. 04 

Net profit 19, 990. 05 

which is equivalent to an average monthly profit of $3,331.67. 

The Government paid for the steamers $278,229.83. 

The steamers now engaged in this service are : The Managua, 
120 tons; the Angela, 120 tons; the Progreso, 100 tons; the Isa- 
bel, 20 tons, and the Amelia, 50 tons. 

The three first named are spacious and have good accommo- 
dations for passengers. 

In addition to the "national line," there is now another line 
of steamers, belonging to a foreign company, a large portion of 
whose stock belongs to the Interoceanic Canal Constructing Com- 
pany. This company is called " Great Lake Steamers Company" 
(Co?npania de vapores del Gran Lago), but it has only one steamer, 
called the Victoria, of 180 tons, which goes around the lake, 
touching at all its ports, eight times a month. 

The table following gives the amount of cargo transported by 
the Lake Managua steamers during the space of six months, from 
January 1 to June 30, 1891: 



6o 



NICARAGUA. 



Table showing the amount of cargo transported by the national steamers from January i to 

June 30, iSgi. 



Months. 



January. 
Febniarv 
March . . 
April . . . 



Cargo. 



Pounds. 

2, 140, 519 

3, 306, 632 

4, 248, 972 

5, 851, 507 



Months. 



May 

June 

Total 



Cargo. 



Pounds. 
6, 080, 906 
6, 413, 803 



28, 042, 339 



The following statement shows the cargoes transported for the 
first six months of 1890 and 1891 : 

Tons. 

1890 6, 970>^ 

1891 14,021 

Difference in favor of 1891 7. 050^ 

THE SAN JUAN RIVER ROUTE. 

The Steamboat line via Lake Nicaragua and the San Juan 
River is the natural route for the commerce of the Republic, but 
complaints are loud and constant of the long delays that occur in 
transit. The fact is that competition is much keener in business 
than it was a few years ago; consequently, merchants can not afford 
the uncertainty and delay which attend the river service. The 
result is that since the construction of the railroad to Corinto, on 
the Pacific, the river transit company has been gradually losing 
its hold, and the bulk of the trade to and from the interior is find- 
ing its way via Corinto. This is certainly unfortunate, as the 
rates are necessarily high via the Pacific, and the route is much 
longer either to the United States or Europe; but the service is 
regular and frequent, and therefore obtains the preference. 

The difficulty with the river route is the impossibility of main- 
taining a good service whenever the rains are insufficient to keep 
the lake at a high level. The rapids and shallows on the river 
are numerous and the cargo has to be carried over them in lighters 
when the river is low, causing delay and risk of damage to the 



NICARAGUA. 6l 

goods, necessitating also high freight rates, though they are less 
than the rates via the Pacific. The river steamers, three or four 
in number, are flat-bottomed, and make the trip twice a month. 

OCEAN STEAMERS. 

To facilitate foreign commerce the Government of Nicaragua 
has entered into contracts with several steamship companies, to 
which it pays liberal subsidies to perform the service in the follow- 
ing way : 

On the Pacific side. — The steamers of the Pacific Mail Steam- 
ship Company from San Francisco to Panama regularly touch at 
San Juan del Sur and Corinto. When going north they touch at 
San Juan del Sur on the 5th, the 14th, and the 24th of each month, 
and Corinto on the I2th, the 15th, and the 25th. When going 
south they touch at the same ports, respectively, on the 7th, the 
14th, and the 27th, and the 6th, the 13th, and 26th. 

Passengers and merchandise carried by these steamers can reach 
the Atlantic when landed at San Francisco by means of the Pacific 
Transcontinental Railroad, and when landed at Panama by the 
Panama Railroad. 

On the Atlantic side. — The steamers of the British Royal Mail 
from Southampton and the West Indies, which leave Aspinwall 
every two weeks. 

Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, whose steamers leave 
Marseilles on the 9th, Bordeaux on the 19th, and Saint Nazaire 
on the 29th. 

The Hamburg- American Company, whose steamers leave, 
Hamburg on the 4th, the 12th, and the 23d of each month. 

The Compania Transatlantica de Barcelona, whose steamers 
leave Santander on the 6th and 19th of each month. 

The West Indies and Pacific Company and the Harrison line 
some of whose steamers leave Liverpool every Thursday, while 
some others leave every two weeks. 



62 NICARAGUA. 

Steamers of the lines just named leav^e Colon or Aspinwall in 
the following way: 

(i) For Plymouth, Cherbourg, and Southampton, via West 
Indies, every two weeks. 

(2) For St. Nazaire on the 3d of each month; for Marseilles on 
the 12th, and for Havre and Bordeaux on the 2 2d. 

(3) For Hamburg, Havre, and other ports on the 7th, the 15th, 
and the 26th of each month. 

(4) For Santander and other ports on the 7th, the 15th, and the 
26th. 

(5) For Liverpool, via New Orleans, every Saturday; and for 
Liverpool, via Vera Cruz and New Orleans, every two weeks. 

The steamers of the Pacific Mail make connection also at Pa- 
nama with those of the South American Pacific Steamship Navi- 
gation Company, which touch at Guayaquil, Callao, Valparaiso, 
and other intermediate points. 

The Pacific Mail is subsidized by the Government of Nicara- 
gua with $8,000 per year, and is bound to carry the mails. 

The steamers of the Cosmos German Line touch irregularly at 
Nicaragua. According to the arrangement made, the company is 
bound to send to Nicaragua at least five steamers during the year, 
some of which must touch at Corinto and some others at San 
Juan del Sur. They bring directly from Europe, or carry there 
from Nicaragua, cargoes of merchandise with the reduction of 10 
per cent in the freight, such as is charged by the steamers of the 
Pacific Mail. The Government subsidizes the Cosmos Line with 
$300 for each round trip. 

The steamers of the British Royal Mail touch at the port of San 
Juan del Norte, or Greytown, twice a month. An independent 
steamer of 250 tons burden does the service between San Juan 
del Norte, Bluefields, Boca del Rama, Rio Grande, Wuonanta 
and Princapulca, Cabo de Gracias a Dios, Corn Island, and Puerto 
Limon, making four round trips every month. This steamer re- 



NICARAGUA. 63 

ceives a subsidy of $24,000 per year and carries the malls. It 
charges $10 per each ton of cargo, except when taken to Corn 
Island, in which case the freight is $15". The fare for passengers 
varies from $8 in first class and $5 in second class to $20 and $10, 
respectively, according to the distances. 

DEVELOPMENT OF THE ATLANTIC SLOPE. 

Nicaragua presents the remarkable feature of a country having 
its best lands and navigable rivers on the Atlantic slope, overlook- 
ing that ocean which is the highway to all the great markets of 
the world, but having all its great towns, its cultivated soil and 
its commerce on the Pacific side, where it is practically debarred 
from all the advantages offered by its opposite coast. This is also 
the condition of the other Central American republics, and it has 
long been their hope and effort to change this anomalous state of 
things. The Government of Nicaragua is fully alive to the 
importance of utilizing the magnificent resources of its eastern 
slope. It has done all in its power to encourage immigration, but 
it has become convinced that immigration on any useful scale is 
impossible without improved means of communication, and is, 
therefore, wisely bending all its energies in that direction, and 
evincing the most praiseworthy spirit of liberality in dealing with 
all plans that promise to aid in solving this all important problem. 
The progress of events and the attention that is now being 
attracted towards Nicaragua are steadily tending toward a removal 
of the difficulties that have hitherto stood in the way, the chief 
of which has been the lack of capital to effect the necessary 
improvements, to build the railroads and open the ports and rivers 
that will give access to the inestimable wealth of forest, field, and 
mine that lie awaiting the awakening hand of labor. When once 
these improvements are effected, there will be no need of laws to 
encourage immigration ; thousands of the surplus population of 
Europe will readily find their way to Nicaragua. 



64 NICARAGUA. 

INTEROCEANIC CANAL AND INTERCONTINENTAL RAILROAD. 

In addition to the plans of internal improvement, indicated there 
are two great enterprises now before the world which promise ines- 
timable advantages to the Republic — the Nicaragua Interoceanic 
Canal, a work of such importance that a chapter in this work has been 
especially devoted to it, and the Intercontinental Railroad from 
North to South, connecting the three great divisions of America. 
The railroad has not yet taken shape, but surveying parties have 
located pathways for the locomotive. 



Chapter VIII. 



CONSTITUTION AND LAWS; FINANCE AND TAXATION; PUBLIC 

IMPROVEMENTS. 

Nicaragua is a Republic, sovereign, free, and independent. The 
form of government is popular and representative, and its powers 
are defined by a written constitution, which was adopted in 1858, 
and was based upon that originally formed in 1838 when the 
Central American federation was dissolved. 

The Government is divided into three branches — legislative, 
executive, and judicial. The legislative power is vested in a 
Congress, consisting of two bodies, the Senate and the Chamber of 
Deputies. The Senate is composed of two Senators from each 
department, who are elected for a term of six years, but one-third 
of their number is renewed by election every two years. No 
person can be elected to the Senate who is less than 30 years of 
age, or a minister of the church; he must be the father of a 
family, and the owner of property not less than $2,000 in value. 
The members of the lower House are called Deputies and are 
elected for four years, but one-half are renewed by election every 
two years. By virtue of the Constitution, there is one Deputy for 
every 20,000 inhabitants in each district; but if the population 
of the district shows an excess of 10,000 or more over and above 
that number, then one more Deputy may be elected. The neces- 
sary qualifications for a Deputy are that he must be not less than 
25 years of age, and not a member of the priesthood. Congress 
meets on the 1st of January every second year. The session lasts 
for ninety days, but may be prorogued after thirty days. Neither 
Bull.5i' 5 65 



66 NICARAGUA. 

chamber can adjourn for more than three days without the consent 
of the other. 

The executive power is vested in a President, whose term of 
office is four years and who can not be reelected for the term im- 
mediately following; he must be a native and resident of the 
Republic, not less than 30 years of age, not a member of the priest- 
hood, must be the father of a family, and the owner of property 
worth not less than $4,000. But a native of any of the other 
Central American Republics may be chosen, provided that he is 
a naturalized citizen and has resided in the Republic of Nicaragua 
not less than fifteen years. He is inaugurated and enters upon his 
administration on the 1st of March. 

The President is assisted by a Cabinet, which on November 30, 
1892, consisted of four Secretaries or Ministers (Ministros). One 
of these secretaries was the head of the Department of Foreign 
Relations and Fomento or Promotion of Public Welfare. An- 
other presided over the Department of War, the Navy and Pub- 
lic Instruction. The third Secretary was the head of a Depart- 
ment of the Interior, Police and Ecclesiastical Affairs, and the 
fourth was the head of the Department of the Treasury and 
Public Credit. The Ministers may take part in the delibera- 
tions of Congress, but without the power of voting. 

The judicial power is exercised by a Supreme Court, divided 
into two sections, one of which is located in Leon and the other 
in Granada. Each section is composed of at least four judges 
and two alternates. There is also a well-organized system of 
subordinate courts and tribunals throughout the country, and 
justice is well administered. 

The Constitution is wisely framed and liberal in its provisions, 
and the laws are as just and well adapted for the needs of a civ- 
ilized community as can be found in any nation of the world. 

By virtue of the Constitution, all persons born on the soil are 
free, and slavery and traffic 'm slaves is prohibited. No person 



NICARAGUA. 67 

can be deprived of life, property, honor, or liberty except by due 
process of law. 

The death penalty is inflicted only for murder, assault in a 
town if followed by death, or in the country if accompanied 
by wounds and robbery, and for arson under aggravated circum- 
stances. The rights of petition and lawful assembly are recog- 
nized. The right to carry arms for lawful self-protection and de- 
fense, and to enter, reside in, travel over and leave the Republic 
without molestation, is guaranteed. Titles of nobility, hereditary 
honors, privileged classes, and prerogatives are not recognized. 
The inviolability of private correspondence, and of the house or 
domicile, as well as the right of private property, is recognized. 
Every citizen of Nicaragua has a right to vote at all elections if 
he is 21 years of age or more, or he will be enfranchised at 18 years 
of age if he holds a scientific degree or is the father of a family, 
holding property of not less than $100 in value, or has some trade 
or profession that produces that amount annually. 

NATURALIZATION LAW. 

Citizenship may be acquired by foreigners in the following 
manner : 

1. If the applicant is a Central American, upon proof of his 
residence for one year within the Republic. 

2. If the applicant comes from any other Spanish- American 
Republic, the residence must be for two years. If he comes from 
any other country, four years' residence is required. 

It will be sufficient for Central Americans, after one year of resi- 
dence has been completed, to state their desire to become natur- 
alized in the Republic, but all other Spanish-Americans are 
obliged to give notice of their intention one year before their ap- 
plication for citizenship, and all otljer foreigners are required to 
give notice of their intention two years before their application. 

All foreigners, however, h^ve the power, without forfeiting 



68 NICARAGUA. 

thereby their own nationality, to acquire public unoccupied lands 
on the same terms and conditions as the citizens of Nicaragua. 

TAXATION AND FINANCE. 

Taxation in Nicaragua is indirect, the revenue being derived 
from import duties, stamps, the Government monopolies of tobacco, 
liquors, and gunpowder, the tax on cattle exported, and the sale 
of unoccupied lands. The Government owns the railroad and 
the steamers on Lake Managua, which together have yielded, at 
date of last report, about 6 per cent on the cost. There are no 
taxes levied on real estate. Municipal taxation is moderate, and 
in the towns, consists principally of taxes for street lighting, police, 
water supply, etc. 

The revenue of Nicaragua is steadily increasing. This im- 
provement is indisputable evidence of the growing wealth and 
prosperity of the country. 

The revenue from all sources was — 

In the year 1851 ;... $122,686.00 

In the year 1870 737, 284. 00 

In the year 1889. 2,036, 137.43 

In the year 1890 2, 370, 183. 49 

In the year 1891 2, 847, 729, 08 

This improvement is demonstrated equally in every source 
from which the public income is derived. 

Thus, in the year ending June 30 — 

1890, telegraph yielded $34. 152.92 

1889, telegraph yielded 30, 793. 67 

Increase 3, 359. 25 

1890, post-office 35, 774. 73 

1889, post-office 24,275.74 

Increase 11, 498. 99 

1890, railways 280, 819. 16 

1889, railwa)^s 236, 853. 92 

Increase 43. 9^5. 24 

1890, public lands 15, 770. 56 

1889, public lands 2, 129.66 

InQTPMP r , T r . . f . r f ' . r r f » ,.,,,,,,,,, , 13. 64O. 90 



NICARAGUA. 



69 



The expenses of the Government in 1891 were $2,968,961.14 
which is slightly in excess of the income, which is accounted for 
by considerable sums having been spent in improvement of track, 
buildings, and rolling stock of railways, piers on the lakes, and 
public roads. 

The sources of revenue of the Government of Nicaragua yielded 
in 1891, according to ofScial statement, the following result: 



Customs 

Customs House confisca- 
tions 

Fines 

Tax on cattle 

Public lands 

National railroad 

National steamers 

Telegraphs 

Post-offices 



$1,058,913.53 

835. 02 
23, 676. 74 

III, 134 20 
2S, 517, 26 

365, 070. 83 
89, 754. 09 
35. 510. 95 
28, 195. 44 



Tobacco 270, 857. 23 

Brandy 733, 454- 85 

Stamped paper 27, 772. 48 

Gun powder 18, 404. 50 

Sale of official publications. 130. 85 

Miscellaneous revenue . . . 52, 714. 33 

Unforeseen income 2,776.78 

Total $2, 847, 729. 08 



The expenses in 1891 were as follows: 



Executive department $675, 719. 50 

Justice 71,186.54 

Public worship and chari- 
ties 25, 728. 00 

War 465, 077. 56 

Collection of revenue 612, 069. 81 



Public works 

Foreign relations 

Public instruction 

Extraordinary expenses 



497. 039. 33 

46, 184. 69 

215,309.78 

360, 645. 93 



Total $2, 968, 961. 14 



The national debt of Nicaragua, according to the official state- 
ment contained in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury in 
1891, was as follows: 

Interior debt $932, 309. 20 

Foreign debt 2, 105, 227. 07 



Total $3, 037, 536. 27 

The largest portion of the foreign debt is represented by bonds 
payable in London in July, 1919, with interest at 6 per cent per 
annum. This interest is regularly paid. 

There are two incorporated banks in the Republic, through 
which most of the commercial business of exchange, discounts, 



yO NICARAGUA. 

etc., is done, but many private capitalists and merchants carry on 
a banking business and make loans on mortgages. 

The banks above referred to are the Bank ot Nicaragua at Man- 
agua and the Agricultural and Mercantile Bank {Banco Mgrkola 
Mercantit) at Leon. Both of them have branches in all the im- 
portant cities of the Republic. 

The unit of monetary value is the peso fuerte, or dollar; but 
foreign coins are allowed to circulate for their value in pesos 
fuertes. The Peruvian sol^ the United States silver dollar, and all 
other Spanish American coins, are found in circulation, and re- 
ceived without difficulty. The subsidiary small coins are 5, 10, 
and 25 cents, and many of the old Spanish reals of 12^ cents 
are in circulation. 

The standard of measurement is the vara, which is equal to 
2.75 English feet. The manzana contains 10,000 square varas, 
equal to about 1 ^ acres. The caballeria contains 64 manzanas. 

RECENT PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. 

[Report in 1893 by U. S. Consul Newell, of Managua, on public improvements. Reports from the 
consuls of the United States, No. 150, March, 1893, p. 369.] 

During the past year and a half there have been a number of improvements 
made throughout the Republic of Nicaragua, the more important ones being the 
erection of markets, construction of street railways, and organization of water 
companies. Upon these I have the honor to report the following: 

GRANADA MARKET. 

For a number of years Granada was illy supplied with market facilities; in 
fact, I might say that she had none at all. The venders of merchandise, vegeta- 
bles, fruits, salt, and sugar occupied stands in the wide corridors of the build- 
ings that stand to the south and west sides of the plaza. Though the men and 
women standing and sitting in the corridors with their stock in trade presented 
a unique picture for the eye of the tourist, it was far from businesslike and the 
resort was an eyesore to the city. Around the plaza, the streets were always 
dirty, as the market women and men were constantly throwing into them the 



NICARAGUA. 7 1 

goods that had proven unsalable. This condition of affairs at last aroused the 
attention of the more public-spirited men of the city, and the consequence is 
that Granada can now point with pride to a fine edifice. 

This building is constructed in the usual form — -that of a hollow square — the 
main portion of which is one story high, with a slightly pitched roof. Running 
from the main entrance through the entire building, is an arched corridor, the 
roof of which is of corrugated iron; this arch is supported by many iron 
columns, with fancy corrugated-iron capitals. At the four corners of the struc- 
ture, stand towers which extend one story above the main building. These 
towers are ornamented with pilasters, crowned with cornice and pediment. On 
either side of the main entrance rise towers that project a story and a half be- 
yond the roof of the main edifice. There is a stone pavement on the north and 
west sides of the market, the portion now completed, and cemented floors within 
the stores and other portions of the structure. 

The construction of the market was begun May 20, 1891. It will occupy, 
when completed, a space ef a little over 2 acres. The style of architecture is 
Renaissance. Stone and brick, with hydraulic mortar, are the materials of 
which the building is composed. The roof is constructed of iron and wood, 
covered with plastic slate from the United States. At this time only one-half 
of the structure is finished, while in the other half there is a provisional open 
market place. 

The estimated cost of the edifice, when completed according to the plans, is 
^206,000 (soles). Already, there has been expended the sum of $70,000. The 
stone, brick, and mortar entering into the composition of the building are all 
native products; the ironwork is from England and the United States. 

In the part now finished there are twenty-two rooms for stores, but the 
building, when fully completed, will contain forty-four such rooms. Besides these 
rooms there are one hundred and fifty stands for selling small articles, and fifteen 
special meat stalls. There are also a large number of pavement or curbstone 
spaces for the Indians, who come daily to sell small quantities of fruit, vegetables, 
and native wares. 

From 250 to 300 persons are daily in attendance at the market, engaged in 
vending some commodity. The average daily revenue is $50 ; the expenses 
amount to $300 per month. 

Granada's market was erected by the city council from money raised by a loan, 
which was floated at 80 cents on the dollar. The management of the enterprise 
was given into the hands of the capitalists subscribing the funds, and the struc- 
ture was also mortgaged to them, along with the ground, until the nominal capital 
is repaid with interest at the rate of 1 per cent per month. The edifice is open 
every day in the week, Sundays and holidays not excepted. 



72 NICARAGUA. 

MASAYA MARKET. 

For many years anterior to the date of this report, Masaya possessed worse 
market facilities than Granada. It did not have even the corridors of buildings, 
like its sister city, for the congregation of its market people. They usually congre- 
gated in the plaza, under the shadow of the principal church, and there, in the 
wind and rain, sitting or standing upon the bare ground, awaited their patrons. 

The matter of a market was considered by the Nicaragua Company (limited), 
an organization of English capitalists who have varied interests in this Republic, 
with headquarters in London, and to it is due the edifice that now adorns the 
city of Masaya. 

This structure is very similar in design to that of Granada, and covers the 
same extent of surface — -2 acres. It is entirely completed, and has sixty-four 
rooms that can be used as stores. There is a large covered way through the 
center of the building, which is in part for the accommodation of butchers and 
for the sellers of fruit, salt, and vegetables. The courts of the markets are sur- 
rounded with corridors, giving plenty of space for stalls. In the courtyards, are 
spaces allotted for carts. As in Nicaragua, many vendors come to market with 
sugar, salt, and plantains and sell direct from their carts, instead of selling from 
stalls. In connection with the market is a large public kitchen, where the market 
restauraters can prepare and cook food. 

It is the intention of the management to soon introduce water into the building 
and add public baths. 

The edifice was constructed at a cost of $106,000 in gold. It is built of vol- 
canic stone taken from a quarry not far from the site of the market. As this 
stone is very black, the structure presents an appearance of great antiquity, and 
if it possessed an altitude greater than one story, would resemble more a castle 
than a market. The roof is surmounted with a parapet that extends around the 
entire building. At the main entrance, are two large, iron open-work gates 
painted dark blue and lined with gold. The market has four entrances, and on 
each side, there are handsome iron bracket lamps. Throughout the entire struc- 
ture, in the stores and in the corridors, the floors are laid in Portland cement. 

The monthly income is $1,150, and the expenses $300. 

GRANADA TRAMWAY. 

The street railway of Granada was projected about one year ago, and cars 
were run over the line for the first time in September last. The persons com- 
posing the company are citizens of Nicaragua, and, I believe, all residents of 
Granada. Originally, the idea of a tramway in the city was that of a foreigner, 
the same gentleman who conceived and carried into effect the Rivas street-car 



NICARAGUA. 



73 



line. After the company was organized, tliis foreigner disposed of his interest 
to the syndicate that now owns the line. 

The length of the route is i mile 300 yards, extending from the railroad 
station to the market. The rails and the cars are of American manufacture, 
the first costing $5,000 and the latter $3,000 in gold. For laying the track, the 
sum of $3,000 was expended. It cost to bring the cars and rails to the city of 
Granada from New York, via San Juan del Norte, the sum of $2,000. An 
expenditure of $2,000 has been made for the purchase of land for the erection 
of a car shed and necessary ofEces, which will be erected at a cost of $1,000. 
Twenty-four mules now comprise the number of animals in service ; these ani- 
mals were bought for $60 per head. 

Besides the sums mentioned, the company has expended the sum of $1,000 
for incidentals and $1,500 for the rights held by the organizer of the enterprise. 
The total amount expended in organizing the company and constructing the 
line, to ddte, has been $24,740 (soles). 

Originally the company was organized on a basis of thirty-five shares, valued 
at $500 per share. Since beginning and completing the line the company has been 
compelled to issue five more shares at the former valuation, so that there are 
now forty shares, representing a capital of $20,000 (soles). 

The daily income averages from $13 to $15. On holidays, the earnings reach 
the sum of $50. The employes number seven, and the daily expenses are 
about $10. 

The cars are the usual pattern denominated in the United States " bobtailed," 
though here they use two animals and employ both conductor and driver. Ac- 
cording to the opinion of many, the company made a mistake in not having 
selected open or summer cars, which would be preferable in this tropical clime. 
At the present time, all the cars run one way, that is, the three cars leave the 
railroad station at about the same moment and change at the market. This 
necessitates delay, and in consequence the line is not as popular as it might be. 
The fare is 5 cents. This innovation has compelled the hack-owners to reduce 
their fares from 20 cents from the station to any part of the city to 10. cents, 
and from 30 cents from any part of the city to the station to 15 cents. 



MASAYA WATERWORKS. 



These works have been in operation since September 1, and were commenced 
about two years ago. The originators of this enterprise are foreigners, though 
a large portion of the stock is owned by Nicaraguans. The estimated cost of 
the plant is $130,000. 



74 NICARAGUA. 

The point from which the water is derived is known as Tincuantepe, distant 
from Masaya 16 miles, and elevated above the city 800 feet. Around the fall 
of Tincuantepe, the scenery is very picturesque. The water is pure, wholesome, 
and clear as crystal. At Nindiri, a small Indian village, 1^ miles from Masaya, 
the company has built an immense reservoir, with an elevation of 140 feet, 
capable of holding 600,000 gallons. From Nindiri to Masaya, there is a pres- 
sure equal to 500 pounds to the square inch. 

The mains are of 3 and 4 inch iron pipe. The principal main is laid on 
Monibo street. Few mains as yet have been laid on the side streets. This 
company was organized with a capital stock of $126,000; that is, thirty shares, 
at $4,200 per share. The piping was purchased in the United States. There is 
every indication to believe that the enterprise will prove a paying one. Masaya 
has a population estimated at 16,000, and is on the line of the national railroad 
running from Managua to Granada. 

MASATEPE WATERWORKS. 

Masatepe is a small village, about one hour and a half's ride from Masaya, 
and has within and around its confines a population of 10,000. The source of 
the water supply is Lake Masaya. This lake lies 300 feet below the town of 
the same name, surrounded, excepting on the western side, by precipitous cliffs, 
down which three or four rocky paths have been cut. In order to reach a 
proper level, the water is pumped from the lake to a height of 1,020 feet. The 
length of the main, that is, from the lake to Masatepe, is 3 miles. 

A company was organized to construct these works on a basis of one thou- 
sand shares at $25 per share, and it is estimated that the plant cost $25,000. 

LEON WATERWORKS. 

On the 7th of July last, a concession was granted by the city of Leon to a 
company for the introduction of water and the erection of the necessary works. 
A company has been organized, with a capital stock amounting to $107,500, 
divided into two hundred and fifteen shares, at $500 per share. The munici- 
pality of Leon has subscribed for six shares. It is believed that the works will 
not cost less than $120,000. 

The water is to be taken from the Rio Chiquita, distant about half a mile 
from the city. It is understood that the company will lay about 13 miles of 
piping between now and the early part of next year. 

The enterprise should be successful, as it has a greater population to draw 
from than any other portion of Nicaragua. The inhabitants of Leon are sup^ 
posed to number 40,000. 



NICARAGUA. * '] ^ 



SAN ANTONIO SUGAR REFINERY. 



Upon this enterprise I have already reported, but as the management has made 
some improvements since that report, it is proper to revert to it again. 

The company has just lately purchased a mile of portable railway, costing 
^5,000 in gold. This machinery was bought in the United States, because it 
comes free into this country under the reciprocity treaty and because it is supe- 
rior to all others. The company has also added electrical machinery to its 
already perfect sugar-refining plant. Electric lights will be placed in the main 
building and in the houses set apart for the officers and employes. 

The San Antonio Sugar Company is the most important undertaking in Nica- 
ragua, and, I believe, in the whole of Central America. Their object is to rev- 
olutionize the sugar industry of these countries, which their capital and extensive 
plant will well enable them to do. 

The gentleman who has charge of the purchasing department of this concern 
assures me that American pumps and boilers take the lead of all others. 

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS. 

The business men of Granada are now considering the advisability of improv- 
ing their water system. At this time the supply is very limited and inadequate 
to the needs of the city. This system will be improved if the gentlemen who 
have the new venture in hand can induce the old company to dispose of its 
interests. It is believed that the old company will sell. As soon as the trans- 
fer is consummated, the new company will proceed to expend ^60,000 in im- 
proving the water system and $40,000 for electrical machinery. I am assured 
that the city of Granada will be lighted by electricity not later than the middle 
of the year 1893. 

Besides the tramway that runs from the station to the market in Granada, it 
is proposed to construct another from the cemetery to Lake Nicaragua. Those 
interested in the project have estimated the cost to construct the line at $50,000 
(soles). 

The young men of Granada are considering the proposition of erecting a hip- 
podrome, where there can be racing and a place for athletic games of all kinds. 

It is proposed to construct public baths on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, in 
Granada. 

Capitalists of Leon are considering the suggestion to build a tramway through 
the principal street and to the railroad station. 

William Newell, 

Consul. 



Chapter IX. 



RELIGION AND PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. 

Nicaragua is a Catholic country, and the constitution recognizes 
this fact by declaring : 

Article 6. The religion of the Republic is the Roman Catholic Apostolic. 
The Government protects its practice. 

No person is molested, however, on account of religious ideas. 

Public instruction has been under the immediate and direct con- 
trol of the Government ever since 1877, and that it is fully alive 
to the importance of the work is proved by the fact that it expends 
upon it 8 per cent of its income. Senor Gamez, in his Noticias 
geogrqficas,ttc.^S2ijs that the Nicaraguan Government expends for 
this purpose no less than $18,883,286 per month, or $226,599.38 
per year. 

Besides the schools supported by the Government, there are 
others supported by the respective municipalities, and others exclu- 
sively private, or established and conducted by private enterprise. 

When Sefior Gamez wrote (1892), there were 263 Government 
schools, with 303 teachers, and an attendance of 16,554 pupils; 10 
municipal schools, with 15 teachers and 871 pupils; and 37 private 
schools with 95 teachers and 1,895 pupils; total, 310 schools, 413 
teachers, and an attendance of 19,320 pupils. 

In addition to the primary schools, there are two "intermediate," 
or rather high, schools for boys, and one of the same character for 
girls, having together 5 1 teachers (42 for boys,- 9 for girls), and an 
attendance of 1,441 pupils (724 boys, 717 girls). 
76 



NICARAGUA. yy 

Until very recently, there have been two universities in Nica- 
ragua, one in Leon, and another in Granada, fully equipped for 
the teaching of jurisprudence and medicine, with powers to confer 
academical degrees. Under a decree promulgated by President 
Sacasa, the two universities have been consolidated into one. 

There is but one public library in Nicaragua, which is located 
at Managua. It contains a very choice collection of the works of 
foreign and American authors, numbering 6,310 volumes and 600 
pamphlets. This library is supported by the national Government, 
and derives no revenue save from that source, as it is free to the 
public. 



Chapter X. 



COST OF LIVING, WAGES, ETC. 

The Style of domestic architecture in Nicaragua is the same that 
prevails throughout the whole of Spanish America. The houses 
of the laboring classes vary in solidity according to the variations 
of climate ; being, in the hot lands, near the coast, merely light 
structures of wood or cane and thatched with palm leaves. In the 
colder regions, they are built of adobe, or sun-dried brick, and 
roofed with tiles. The better class of houses are built in the old 
Spanish style which was introduced into Spain by the Moors, some- 
times of two stories, but more frequently of one only, built around 
a courtyard or patio. In a warm climate, no pleasanter residence 
can be imagined than these houses. The thick walls are built of 
adobe, cemented and whitewashed, or of stone. These and the 
heavy-tiled roofs exclude the heat. The rooms are spacious and 
very lofty, with great doors, and windows without glass sashes, but 
closed by heavy wooden shutters and protected on the outside by 
a grating of iron bars. All the doors of the rooms open upon a 
veranda surrounding the patio, which is filled with shrubbery and 
flowers. Here, easy chairs and hammocks afford inviting resting 
places. In the towns, however delightful these houses may be as 
places of residence, the fact that the verandas and other embellish- 
ments are on the interior gives the street a gloomy appearance. 
The majority of city residences are also connected with stores. 
As a rule, few merchants or traders reside away from their places 
of business. Rents are high and have greatly increased of late 
78 



"^^ 



NICARAGUA. 79 

years. The better class of houses rent at from $40 to $100 per 
month. In the larger cities, many of the houses are built of stone, 
which is abundant and easily procured. The quality generally 
used is soft when first quarried and can be worked very easily, but 
hardens with age and exposure. With abundant material and 
cheap labor, there is no reason why such high rents should be 
maintained. In Managua, the capital, where the population is 
rapidly increasing, and in several other cities, the erection of houses 
for rent would be a lucrative investment, particularly as there are 
no taxes levied on real estate. 

The markets are well supplied, but usually do not present any 
great variety of vegetables. In Managua, the market building 
covers an entire square. It was built by English capital under a 
Government concession granting a monopoly for twenty-five years. 
The selling is done principally by women. The following is a 
list of retail prices prevailing there at date of latest advices : 

Coffee per pound . . $o. 30 

Coffee, black ; do 20 

Rice do 10 

Cacao do 80 

Sugar, second class do 10 

Sugar, first class do 20 

Milk cheese, or queso de leache do 30 

Butter cheese, or queso de mantequilla do 45 

Frijoles do 07 

Corn per medio, 12 pounds. . . 30 

Starch Per pound. . . 20 

La,rd per quart bottle . . .50 

Butter : 

Native per pound . . .60 

Foreign do i. 00 

Lemons per dozen. . . 12 

Potatoes per pound. . . 07 >^ 

Flour do 10 

Plantains ... •■ - three.. .05 

Kerosene : 

Astral .... box of 5 gallons.. 8.00 

Radiant do 6. 00 

Soap .per bar of 30 ounces, , . 20 

Beef, the best , per pound.. .15 



8o NICARAGUA. 

Fork per pound. . . lO 

Pepper, sold only unground do 30 

Salt do 02 J^ 

Ham do 38 

These prices, as well as all others quoted, are in Nicaraguan 
currency, which averages from 30 to 35 per cent less in value 
than the United States gold dollar, consequently reducing prices 
in a corresponding ratio as compared with United States currency. 

In journeying through the country, the traveler has to depend 
on such fare as he may be able to obtain at native houses and such 
stores as he may carry with him, but in the principal towns and 
cities there are hotels where fair accommodations and good rations 
are the rule. Hotel charges throughout the Republic are from 
$1 to $2.50 per day, the latter rate only at those of the higher 
class and in the principal cities. There are places where board 
can be obtained for less, but they are frequented by the lower class 
of natives only and would not be very attractive, especially to 
foreigners. The rates usually charged by the meal at the best 
hotels are: Early coffee, 25 cents; breakfast, 75 cents; dinner, 80 
cents to $1. Board by the month is from $25 to $30, without 
room. An extra charge of $5 per month is usually made when 
meals are sent to the house of the boarder. Tea is rarely used 
and is only prepared at special request. Coffee and chocolate are 
the usual beverages, and both are invariably excellent. Beer, both 
European and American, can be obtained, but costs from 30 to 50 
cents per pint bottle. California wines, 80 cents per pint bottle. 
Butter is rarely seen on hotel tables, and is not usually palatable 
when obtained. Meat is generally good. Chickens, turkey, and 
venison are usually served at dinner, and in the lake cities espe- 
cially, fish is abundant and good. Eggs, cooked in omelets and 
in every other way, are staple articles of food. Frijoles (beans) 
and rice are the usual vegetables, occasionally varied by potatoes, 
cabbage, squash, and pease, but as a rule, vegetables are not served 
in great variety. 



NICARAGUA. 8l 

Clothing is reasonable in price. The customer usually provides 
his own cloth, which costs from $3 to $5.50 per yard, and the 
tailor charges from $10 to $16 for making a suit, according to the 
style and trimmings required. Ready-made clothing can be ob- 
tained at from $9 per suit upwards. 

Shoemakers charge from $5 to $6 per pair for gaiter shoes and 
for low-quarter shoes $4 to $5.50. Ready-made shoes are sold at 
$4 for low quarters and $7.50 for gaiters. Russet shoes sell for $4. 
Ladies' shoes, from $3 up per pair. The shoes found in the stores 
are invariably of American manufacture and come largely from Bos- 
ton. It is very rarely that shoes of European make can be found in 
the stores of Nicaragua. Dressmakers charge for making dresses 
as follows: Ordinary calico house dress, $2; street costume, $5 
to $7; ball dress, $10 to $15. Ladies' hats, trimmed, sell from 
$4 to $20, but there is little demand for millinery, as the panolon 
and reboso are used in preference to the hat or bonnet. 

Labor is plentiful in Nicaragua, at least so far as present needs 
are concerned. But to carry out any great public work or to 
develop the immense resources of the country on the scale that 
will be required whenever the facilities for transportation are im- 
proved, it will be necessary to import laborers and encourage immi- 
gration. 

The following is a statement of the wages received by the dif- 
ferent classes of labor. It also shows the salaries paid by the 
Government to those employed in the railroad, steamboat, and 
telegraphic service. The amounts are stated in Nicaraguan cur- 
rency : 



Description. 



Clerks, mercantile: 

Natives per month. . 

Foreigners do ... . 

Stone masons _ pgr day, . 

Carpenters do ..." ! 

Furniture-makers do. . . .' 

Journeymen tailors (jo 

Bull. 51 6 



Wages. 



Dollars. 

20. 00 to 40. 00 

50. 00 to 150. 00 

I. 50 to 2. 00 

I. 00 to 2. 00 

I. 50 to 2. 00 

. 80 to 2. 00 



82 



NICARAGUA. 



Description. 



Machinists per day . 

Cooks per month. 

Blacksmiths , per day. 

Shoemakers do . . 

Tile roofers do. . . 

Wagon-makers do . . . 

Railway service : 

Auditor per month. 

General superintendent do. . . 

Private secretary do. . . 

Traffic manager — 

Eastern section do. . . 

Western section do. . . 

Secretary do. . . 

Assistant auditor do . . . 

Telegraph operator, superintendent's office do. . . 

Storekeeper do. . . 

Road master do . . . 

Bridge inspector do. . . 

Conductor do. . . 

Machinists do . . . 

Collector and paymaster do . . . 

Inspector of cars do . . . 

Ticket agent do. . . 

Station master — 

Granada do . . . 

Central station do . . . 

Sabana Grande do. . . 

Campuzano do. . . 

Nindiri do. . . 

Masaya do. . . 

San Bias do. . . 

Master mechanic do. . . 

Foreman, machine shop do. . . 

Founder do. . . 

Timekeeper '. .do. . . 

Telegraph service : 

Operators do. . . 

Linemen do. . . 

Steamer service : 
Captain — 

Steamers Managua and Angela do. . . 

Steamer Progreso do. . . 

Steamer Amelia do. . . 

Steamer Isabel do. . . 

Superintendent of steamers do. . . 

Master mechanic of steamers do. . . 

Wharf master — 

At Managua do. . . 

At Grenada do. . . 

Engineers, railvs^ays and steamers do. . . 

Firemen , per day. 

Brakemen do. . . 



Wages. 



Dollars, 

3. 00 to 5 
6. 00 to 
1. 00 to 
I. 00 to 
I. 50 to 
I. 00 to 



00 

14.00 
3- 00 
2.00 
2.00 
2.00 



80.00 
200. 00 
100.00 

130.00 
150. 00 

45.00 

60. 00 
25. 00 
35- 00 

125.00 
60. 00 
60.00 

110. 00 
60.00 
55.00 
30.00 

55.00 

50.00 

40. 00 

40.00 

30.00 

70,00 

30.00 

200.00 

150.00 

115.00 

50.00 

60.00 to 125. 00 
18. 00 to 19. 00 



100. 00 

80.00 

60. 00 

60.00 

100. 00 

300. 00 

60,00 

50.00 

110.00 

1.40 

.80 



NICARAGUA. 83 

The coffee-pickers are paid by the task, about 40 pounds of 
green berries for 10 cents. 

Ordinary laborers, cartmen, and farm laborers receive from ^o 
to 80 cents per day. 

Notwithstanding these low wages, food and clothing are so easily 
obtained, the climate is so genial, and nature has been so bountiful 
that the people all look contented and well fed. Old people and 
children appear to be well cared for, few beggars are seen in the 
streets, and nowhere are such appearances of poverty and squalor 
as may be seen in the large cities of the United States and Europe. 



Chapter XI. 



COMMERCE. 

Notwithstanding the natural difficulties of insufficient means of 
transportation, the commerce of Nicaragua is steadily increasing. 
This is due in part to the extension of its fruit trade, which is 
principally transacted on the Caribbean coast, and in part to the 
growth of the coffee shipments, made chiefly from Pacific ports. 
The following table shows approximately the increase of the trade 
between Nicaragua and the United States. Such statistics are to 
be considered with a knowledge of the fact that the imports are 
stated in Nicaraguan currency, while the exports are calculated 
in that of the United States. Notice must also be taken of the 
further fact of possible undervaluations on goods upon which im- 
port duties are collected. 





1888. 


1889. 


i8qo. 


Imports into United States from Nicaragua. . . 
Exports to Nicaragua from United States 


$1, 496, 171 
927, 022 


$1, 747, 246 
1, 009, 687 


$1,655,690 
1,373.019 


Balance against United States 


569, 149 


737, 559 


282, 671 







In so far as these figures show a steady increase in the trade 
between the two countries, they will be accepted as gratifying 
evidence of progress in that direction. Those, however, who see 
in them an advantage to the United States because of a diminu- 
tion of the "balance of trade" against this country will be forced 
84 



NICARAGUA. 85 

to explain in what manner Nicaragua is benefited under their 
hypothesis. 

The shipments of coffee from Nicaragua were: 

For the two years ending — Pounds. 

June 30J 1884 12,696,400 

June 30, 1886 14, 247, 200 

June 30, 1888 12, 424, 300 

June 30, 1890 19, 786, 400 

Many new coffee plantations have been started within the past 
few years and it is believed that exportations of this product must 
continue to increase. 

The following table shows the amount of coffee exported from 
Nicaragua to the United States within the past ten years: 



Year. 


Pounds. 


Year. 


Pounds. 


1881 


959, 200 

2, 168, 500 

1, 356, 400 

2, 382, 000 
2, 033, 600 


1886.,.. 

1887 


2, 331, 400 


1882 


2, 700, 000 


1883 . . 


1888 


3, 426, 100 


1884 


i88q 


3, 743, 372 


1885 


i8qo 


3. 735. 196 







Inasmuch as the price of coffee has increased, it will be under- 
stood that this industry is an important factor in the prosperity and 
wealth of the country. 

The following table shows the total foreign commerce of Nica- 
ragua, including exports and imports, for the periods stated : 

For the two years ending — 

June 30, 1884 $8, 699, 629. 59 

June 30, 1886 8, 410, 188. 26 

June 30, 1888 ". 9, 252,948. 83 

June 30, 1890 14, 563, 113. 51 

Of this last amount — 

The imports were 7, 566, 293. 02 

The exports were 6, 996, 820. 49 

Showing an apparent excess of imports of 569, 472. 53 

Here, again, it must be noted that the imports are stated in Nica- 



86 



NICARAGUA. 



raguan currency, while the exports are calculated on the gold 
basis of Europe and the United States. 

The largest importers of Nicaragua's products are the United 
States, Germany, France, and England, in the order named, but 
the purchases of Nicaragua from foreign countries change this 
order. England stands first, followed by the United States, 
France, and Germany. The imports from the United States, 
however, are increasing so rapidly that England may not long 
continue to head the list 

The exports of Nicaragua for the two years ending June 30, 
1 890, comprise the following articles : 



Coffee $4. 216, 834. 31 

India rubber 519,447.85 

Dyewoods 299, 984. 00 

Extracts of dyewoods .... 153,259.20 
Hides 197. 186. 49 



Gold bullion $299, 023. 50 

Silver coin 606, 008, 07 

Sundries 705, 077. 07 



Total 6, 996, 820. 59 



Sefior Gamez, in his Noticias, approved by the Government, and 
therefore of an official character, says : 

In 1858, when the social and political reorganization of the country was 
accomplished, the total imports into Nicaragua amounted to $362,306. Subse- 
quent to that date a steady increase, each year larger, has taken place. In 1890 
(the last year upon which the writer had official information) the total imports 
into Nicaragua represented the sum of $4,268,405.27. 

The exports in the same year were $3,833,614.28. 

The imports into Nicaragua in 1890, classified by countries, were: 



From England $1, 324, 526. 89 

From British Guiana 946. 88 

From France 690, 659. 77 

From Germany 643,783.71 

From Italy 3,224.05 

From the United States. . . 811, 978. 41 

From Jamaica 8, 194. 17 

From Colombia 18, 415. 27 

From Ecuador 4,904.19 

From Trinidad 1,251.35 

From the Argentine Re- 
public 2,283.69 



From Central America . . . 

From other countries, 
through San Juan del 
Norte 

From Spain 

Importation made by the 
Government 

Importation of coin 



$74, 269. 09 



38,813.85 
14, 964. II 

312, 222, 89 
317, 966. 95 



Total 4,268,405.27 



NICARAGUA. 87 



To Spain , . $11, 112. 80 

To Chile 4, 476. 75 

To Peru 1,519.10 



Total 3,501,030.98 

Exportation of coin 332, 583, 30 



Grand total 3, 833, 614. 28 



The exports were as follows : 

To England $461, no. 62 

To France 793, 249. 50 

To Germany 863, 431. 89 

To Italy 34, 413. 30 

To the United States i, 169, 050. 64 

To Colombia 5,109,60 

To Belgium 4,057,60 

To Cuba 734.40 

To Central America 152, 764. 78 

It appears from the above that the nation which imported Nicaraguan mer- 
chandise in larger quantity than all others was the United States. Then came 
Germany, France, and England. England, however, sent more goods to Nica- 
ragua than the United States, and the United States more than France, and 
France more than Germany. 

The principal products capable of being exported from Nicaragua have been 
up to this date coffee, India rubber, dyewoods, hides, and gold in bullion. 

The principal articles of importation into Nicaragua are : 

Oils, vegetable, animal, and mineral ; spirits ; cotton, raw and manufactured ; 
firearms; boots and shoes; carriages; waterproof cloaks; white beeswax; 
canned eatables of all kinds; glassware; drugs and medicines; mirrors and 
all kinds of parlor ornaments; stearic candles; matches; flour; iron, in bars 
and plates; machetes, clubs, hoes, and all kinds of agricultural implements; 
household articles; soap; wool, raw and manufactured; silk, raw and manu- 
factured; linen, raw and manufactured; machinery; engines and materials for 
railroads, steamboats, and mining and agricultural enterprises; pipes; haber- 
dashery; toys; silver coins; wooden house furniture; school furniture; all 
kinds of paper; perfumery; pianos and musical instruments; tanned skins; 
paints and varnishes; watches, clocks, and jewelry; small metal ware; empty 
bags ; all kinds of hats ; all kinds of wines ; books ; lamps ; fancy articles. 

No consular certification of invoices is required by Nicaragua. 
Invoices must be made out in triplicate, and valuation and customs 
duties are adjusted in the custom-house of the port of debarkation. 
Duties are levied on all goods according to weight. 

The commercial interests of Nicaragua are so closely identified 
with the question of transportation that it is impossible to touch on 
one subject without some reference to the other. The ftw years that 



88 NICARAGtJA. 

have elapsed since Lakes Nicaragua and Managua were connected 
by railroad and steamboat lines with the port of Corinto on the 
Pacific coast have been sufficient to demonstrate the immediate 
and gratifying effect that this improvement has had on the com- 
merce and progress of the country, but the great necessity remains 
for rapid and cheap communication v/ith the Atlantic coast. 
When goods reach the Pacific, they have to bear the expense of 
transportation over a circuitous route by way of Panama and the 
high freight charged by the Panama Railroad Company in order 
to reach either the United States or Europe. 

By this route and by railroad and steamboat to Corinto, the rate 
of freight on coffee to New York, in Nicaraguan currency, is: 

From Granada per ton. . $40.40 

From Masaya ,. do. ... 39. 20 

From Managua do ... . 36. 80 

The rates by steamers on the River San Juan to the Caribbean 
coast are high, although considerably less than the cost of trans- 
portation via the Pacific, but this is more than counterbalanced by 
the uncertainty and delay caused by the rapids and shallows which 
attend the river service. The rates of freight are low between the 
United States or Europe and the Atlantic ports of Central 
America; consequently, whenever the projected railroad in that 
direction from Lake Nicaragua is completed, a great reduction 
will be made from the rates now paid by way of the Pacific ports 
as above quoted. But the hopes of Nicaragua are centered on the 
Interoceanic Canal. When that great work shall have been com- 
pleted, Granada will be virtually a seaport, and Atlantic liners 
will be able to load and discharge their cargoes at her wharves; in 
fact. Lake Nicaragua will become a vast dock, where, by means of 
railroads, the commerce of Central America will find its center and 
point of distribution. 

A complete list of freight rates between New York and the 



NtCAkAGtJA. 



89 



Pacific ports, and from Corinto to interior points by railroad and 
steamboat, is given hereafter. The passenger rates * are : 

To Bluefields from New Orleans: 

Cabin. . , $40 

Deck 20 

To Grey Town from New York direct (cabin) 100 

To Grey Town from New York, via Colon 145 

To Corinto from New York, via Colon 140 

To Corinto from San Francisco 105 

To San Juan del Sur from San Francisco 105 

To San Juan del Sur from New York, via Colon 130 

Rates of freight from Nicaraguan ports to New York by Pacific Mail Company's steamers* 

[United States gold currency.] 



Articles. 



Bark pound . 

Balsam ,do. . . 

Cochineal do . . . 

Coffee do . . . 

Coffee in shell do . . . 

Cacao do . . . 

Cotton. cubic foot. 

Cigars do . . . 

Cedar logs not exceeding 2,000 pounds each .1,000 feet. 

Deer and goat skins pound. 

Dyewoods do... 

Ginger do. . . 

Hides (dry): 

Folded each . 

Loose , do. . . 

In square bales, compact and well tied pound . 

India rubber do. . . 

Indisfo 



.do. 



Orchilla do. ., 

' Ore (silver, copper, or tin) : 

Value not exceeding $500 per ton do. . . 

Value over $500 and not exceeding $r,ooo per ton do . . . 

Value over $1,000, yi per cent additional do. . . 

Pearl shells do . . . 

Plants cubic foot. 

Ramie and other plant fibers do. . . 

jar Dound. 



Suga 



.poi 



Sarsaparilla do . . . 

Tobacco , do... 

Wood, mahogany, rose, and other hard woods, shipped from June to Jan- 
uary, inclusive pound. 

General merchandise, not elsewhere enumerated do. . . 

Do cubic foot. 

Gold, silver, and valuables (on value), i^ percent. 



From San 
Juan del Sur 
01 Corinto. 



Dollars. 
.024 
.026 
.02 
.01 
.01 
.013 
•50 
I- 15 
30. 00 
.02 
.0075 
.01 

.40 

.50 

.018 

.015 

.02 

.025 

.0075 
.01 

.0075 
.013 

.75 

.40 

.01 

.025 

.02 

.008 

• 75 



*It should be noted that the rates for passengers and freight are subject to changes 
from time to time. 



go NICARAGUA. 

J?ates of freight from A^ew York to Nicaragtian ports by Pacific Mail Company* s steamers. 

[United States gold currency.) 



Articles. 



From San 
Juan del Sur 
or Coriuto. 



General merchandise, not elsewhere enumerated cubic foot 

Do pound 

Opium do. . 

Ivory goods, laces, ribbons, plate glass (released), silks, velvets, .cubic foot 

Billiard tables, cutlery, cigars, firearms, type, tea, wire cloth do. . 

Do pound 

Blacking, bacon, candles, common clocks, cotton seed, dried fruits, drugs, 
hams, hose, hops, liquors (barrels and boxes), medicines, paints, plat- 
form scales, pickles, raisins, solder, spices in double bags, turpen- 
tine, tin, varnish, vinegar, wines (boxes and barrels), yellow metal, 

sulphur, wax cubic foot. . 

Do pound. . 

Cotton goods, canned goods, cotton duck, domestics, linen goods, sewing 

machines, woolen goods, yarns cubic foot . . 

Do pound. . 

Agricultural implements, bags and bagging, brooms, boilers (iron) with 
furnaces, carriages, cars, car wheels on axles, doors, earthenware, 
felting, furniture, glue, glass (window), hardware, insulators, kettles 
(iron and copper), glassware, copper, edge tools, lamps (common), 
machinery, oakum, oil (in cans), pumps, rope, railings (iron), safes 
(iron), stoves and fixtures, sugar pans, soap, starch, shocks, shovels, 
sashes, shot, sugar mills, tinware, trunks (empty, nested), wire (brass 
and copper), wooden ware, printing papers, straw wrapping paper, 

cubic foot. , 

Do pound . 

Butter, beef, cheese, lard, pork, rice, salt fish, tallow do 

Axles, car wheels, caustic soda, cement, clay, fire brick, iron wire, lead, 
pitch, resin, roofing slate, stove castings, tar, tiles, zinc, blue vitriol, 
pound, , 

Iron (band, bar, hoop, sheet, corrugated), iron pipe and tubes (small), 
nails pound . , 

Iron-fence wire (barbed) do 

Lumber — 

White and yellow pine 1,000 feet., 

Oak, cedar, mahogany, etc do. . . 

Crackers, fiour, maizena, meal, shipbread, sugar, vegetables (boxes and 
barrels), dried fish, lager beer (bottled in boxes or barrels), cubic foot. 

Matches in tin-lined cases do. . . 

Acids and gunpowder pound . 

Cartridges (metallic) do. . . 

Manufactured tobacco cubic foot . 

ind. 



Do. 



. poui 



Unmanufactured tobacco cubic foot.. 

Do • .pound; 

Plated ware, silver ware, jewelry, watches, pistols, etc. (i per cent on value 

in addition) cubic foot. 

Gold and silver coin, precious stones, etc., on value, i>^ per cent. 
Parcels not exceeding 2 cubic feet each . 



Dollars. 

0.65 
.012 

1.50 
.90 
• 75 
.015 



.65 
.013 



.65 
.012 



.55 

.Oil 

.012 



.01 

.01 
.Oil 

36. 00' 

43- 00 

.50 

1. 00 

. 10 

.02 

.75 
.015 
.70 
.014 



.60 



2.50 



Goods taken by weight or measurement at carrier's option. 



NICARAGUA. 



91 



FREIGHT ON NICARAGUA RAILROAD. 



Freight is divided into six classes, and the charges are according to the fol- 
lowing tariffs : 

First c/ass.—Ba.ggage : 

[Per xoo pounds, Nicaragua currency.] 

Cents, 



Corinto o 

Chinandega , . . , 20 

Chichigalpa 30 

Posoltega 35 

Quezalguaque 40 

Le6n 45 

La Paz 65 

Momotombo 75 



Cents- 
Managua 90 

Sabana Grande 100 

Portillo , 105 

Campuzano 107 

Nindiri no 

Masaya 115 

San Bias 120 

Granada 125 



There is an extra charge of 25 per cent on all baggage received at station too late to 

be manifested. 

Second class. — General merchandise and any other article not specified in other 

classes : 

Cents. 

Corinto o 

Chinandega 13 



Cents. 

Managua 67 

Sabana Grande 74 

Portillo 77 

Campuzano 80 

Nindiri 82 

Masaya 84 

San Bias 90 



Chichigalpa 20 

Posoltega 23 

Quezalguaque 26 | 

Le6n 30 

La Paz 45 

Momotombo 52 | Granada 94 

TAird class. — Empty sacks, cables, steel and iron in bars or plates unmanufactured, 
wire for fencing, galvanized iron buckets and pitchers, axletrees, springs, washers 
and nuts for carriages and carts, iron or copper boilers for manufacturing purposes, 
machetes, spades, hoes, pickaxes, wooden shovels and axes, sugar, cofTee, flour, corn, 
beans, rice, wheat, barley, and other cereals, potatoes, onions, garlic, fresh fish, rosin, 
caustic soda and potassa, unpolished marble in parts or works of 100 pounds and up- 
wards, starch, empty barrels or without hoops, carriages in parts or mounted, staves 
and shooks, plows, cultivators, asphalt, grain winnowers, quicksilver for mining, hy- 
draulic pumps, iron or clay pipes, steel or iron basins, galvanized iron for ro'ofing, 
ducts, and ridges, cheese, and hides of the country : 

[Per 100 pounds.] 

Cents. 

Managua 49 

Sabana Grande 53 



Cents. 

Corinto , o 

Chinandega 10 

Chichigalpa , 16 

Posoltega 17 

Quezalguaque 18 

Le6n 22 

La Paz 30 

Momotombo 34 



Portillo 55 

Campuzano 57 

Nindiri 59 

Masaya 61 

San Bias 65 

Granada 67 



92 



NICARAGUA. 



Fourth class. — Fruits of the country, cement, bricks, sawed timber, table salt, foreign; 
fertilizer, lime and cement; coal; iron or wooden buildings, complete; machinery, 
tiles, native soap, aniline extracts, charcoal, rice, and hay: 

[Per loo pounds.] 



Cents. 

Corinto o 

Chinandega , 6 

Chichigalpa lo 

Posoltega II 

Quezalguaque 13 

Le6n 15 

La Paz 22 

Momolombo 26 



Cents. 

Managua 41 

Sabana Grande .... 45 

Portillo 46 

Campuzano 48 

Nindiri 49 

Masaya 50 

San Bias 53 

Granada 55 



Fifth class. — Dyewoods and extracts, building stone, roofing cane, sugar cane, hen- 
equen and pita fibers, clay bricks, sand, earth, aluminum, fodder, native hay and salt, 
lumber, ashes, and textiles: 

[Per 100 pounds.] 



Cents. 

Corinto o 

Chinandega 5 

Chichigalpa 8 

Posoltega 8 

Quezalguaque 9 

Le6n 11 

La Paz 15 

Momotombo 17 



Cents. 

Managua 32 

Sabana Grande 34 

Portillo . . . , 35 

Campuzano 36 

Nindiri 37 

Masa3'a 38 

San Bias 40 

Granada 41 



Sixth class. — Dj^ewoods for exportation: 
Western division : 

From Momotombo to Corinto per ton . . 

From La Paz to Corinto do. . . , 

From Le6n to Corinto do ... , 

From Quezalguaque to Corinto do. . . , 

-From Posoltega to Corinto do 

From Chichigalpa to Corinto do. . .. 

From Chinandega to Corinto do. . . , 

Eastern division: 

From Granada to Managua . . . . do . . . 

From San Bias to Managua do ... , 

From Masaya to Managua do. .. 

From Nindiri to Managua do. . . 

From Campuzano to Managua do... 

From El Portillo to Managua do. . . 

From Sabana Grande to Managua do. . . 



Dollars. 
2. ID 
1.95 
1.80 
1.75 
1.75 
1.70 
I. 60 

. 1.50 
I. 20 
, T.OO 
, .90 
, .80 
. .70 

. .6a 



NICARAGUA. 



93 



* 



REPORT BY CONSUL NEWELL, OF MANAGUA, ON COMMERCE. 

Through the courtesy of an official of Nicaragua, who was 
specially deputized to examine and report upon the trade condition 
of the country, the following information been obtained. 

The report covers a period extending from July i, 1890, to 
June 30, 1892. It shows the ports via which goods were im- 
ported and exported. 

IMPORTS. 

Table showing the value of imports during i8go-'gi and iSgT-'g2. 



Whence imported. 



iSgo-'gi. 



tSgi-'qa. 



VIA SAN JUAN DEL SUR, 



United States 

England 

France 

Germany . . . . 

Italy 

Ecuador 

Chile 

Mexico 

Colombia . . . . 
Costa Rica. . . 
Guatemala . . . 
Salvador . . . . 
Spain 



Total , 



VIA CABO GRACIAS A. DIOS. 



United States 

England 

Germany 

Austria 

British Honduras. 



Total 



VIA GREY TOWN. 



United States . 

England 

France 

Germany 

Jamaica 

Colombia 

British Guiana 



Dollars, 
48, 989. 45 
54, 260. 65 
9, 750. 81 
15,115.19 
185. 00 

2, 747. 00 

45- 00 
no. 00 

3, 868. 00 
5,051.04 

250. 00 
9, 277. 00 



149, 649. 14 



76, 069. 40 

19, 704. 25 

597- 76 

201. 50 

2, 164. 07 



98, 736. 98 



240, 385. 93 
54, 301. 08 
19, 268. 64 
24, 258. 94 
11,011. 36 
6, 684. 21 
756. 74 



Dollars. 
81,273.45 
21,461. 78 

14, 956. 80 

15, 554- 59 
252. 00 



352. 60 

623. 59 

58.00 

3, 700. 29 

586. 60 



138, 820. 00 



113, 796. 93 



* Reports from the consuls of the United States, No, 150, March, 1893, p. 476, 



94 NICARAGUA. 

IMPORTS — continued. 

Table shmving the value of imports during i8go-gi and i8gr—g2 — Continued. 



Whence imported. 



VIA GREY TOWN — continued. 



Ecuador 
Italy. 



Netherlands . . . 
Other countries 



Total 



VIA CORINTO. 



France 

England . 

Germany 

United States 

Italy 

Spain 

Ecuador 

Colombia 

Salvador 

Guatemala 

Costa Rica 

Cuba 

Mexico 

Honduras 

Argentine Republic. 



Total 



1890-91. 



Dollars. 

2, 023. 60 
669. 20 

2, 312. 94 
30, 439. 01 



392, III. 65 



356, 
556. 
327, 
655, 



8g6. 07 
992. 42 
928. 47 
636. 56 
751.38 
235.25 
960. 02 
787. 97 
043. 68 
739. 00 
634. 20 



I, 920, 605. 02 



Dollars. 



373, 703. 94 



998, 
2, 132, 
1, 042, 

1.497, 
12, 

31, 
30, 

43, 
150, 

23, 

41, 

I, 

I, 



144. 43 
601. 38 

055.43 
650. 95 

245. 74 
465. 06 
819. 28 
568. 22 
314. 77 
709. 73 
418.98 
047. 10 
199. ID 
70.00 
495- 36 



6, 006, 805. 53 



EXPORTS. 

Table showing the quantity of exports during i8go-gi and /8gi-g2. 



Articles, and whither exported. 



FROM CORINTO. 

To the United States : 

Coffee pounds. 

Mora do. . . 

Oxhides do . . . 

Deerskins do. . . 

Rubber do. . . 

FROM SAN JUAN DEL SUR. 

To the United States : 

Coffee pounds . . 

Rubber do 

Oxhides , do. . . . 

Deerskins do. . . . 



iSgo-'gi. 



Dollars. 

I, 190, 834 

672, 000 

153,458 

65, 131 

61,502 



40, 151 
6, 069 

9,5" 
6, 501 



i89i-'92. 



Dollars. 
718, 619 



159,010 

143, 353 

55.251 



169 
1.943 
7.363 



NICARAGUA. 



95 



EXPORTS — continued. 

Table ihozving the quantity of exports during iSgo-gi and i8gt-g2 — Continued. 



Articles, and whither exported. 



iSgo-'gi. 



i89i-'92. 



FROM SAN JUAN DEL suR — Continued. 

To the United States — Continued. 

Brazil wood quintals. 

Cedar feet . 

Rosewood quintals. 

Cacao _ pounds. 

Mahogany feet. 

Do tons. 

To Germany: 

Coffee pounds . 

Oxhides do. . . 

Deerskins do. . . 

Rubber do. . . 

Anil do. . . 

To England : 

Oxhides do. . . 

Deerskins do. . . 

Rubber do . . 

Mora tons. 

Anil pounds. 

Coffee do . . . 

To France : 

Anil do . . . 

Deerskins do . . . 

Oxhides do. . . 

Rubber do. . . 

Coffee do . . . 

Rosewood quintals. 

To Salvador : 

Cheese pounds. 

Queso mantequilla do. . . 

Butter. do. . . 

To Guatemala: 

Cheese .do. . . 

Hilo morado do. . . 

Zuelos do. .. 

To Costa Rica : 

Cheese do. . . 

Starch do . . . 

Butter do. . . 

Rice do. . . 

Tobacco , do . . . 

Miscellaneous articles .do. . . 

FROM CABO GRACIOS k DIOS. 

To the United States : 

Rubber pounds . 

To countries other than the United States : 

Oxhides do. . . 

Deerskins do. . . 



Dollars. 

• 4,378 
4,060 

I. 195 
90 

14. 543 



100, 385 

111 

845 

1,350 

2,531 

747 

I, 200 

456 

6 

3,968 

169, 795 

732 

250 

1,617 

709 

2,032 

510 

53, 607 



3, 220 

203 



30, 399 
49, 141 



49. 141 



148, 554 

5,619 
568 



Dollars. 



169 

9, 700 

22 



2,486 



780 



6,061 
23, 120 

5,006 



70, 448 
186 
890 



334 

56 



220 

3,800 

23, 480 

90 



171,155 

13.218 
1,313 



96 NICARAGUA. 

EXPORTS — continued. 

Table shoiving the quantity of exports during i8go-'gi and i8gi-g2 — Continued. 



Articles, and whither exported. 



FROM CABO GRACios A Dios — Continued. 

To countries otiier tlian tlie United States — Continued. 

Tuna pounds, 

Rubber do. ., 

FROM GREY TOWN. 

To the United States : 

Coffee pounds. 

Rubber do. . . 

Oxhides do... 

Deerskins do. . . 

Anil do... 

Cocoanuts number. 

Feathers pounds. 

Gold ounces. 

Silver do . . 

To England : 

Coffee pounds. 

Rubber do. . . 

Anil do. .. 

Gold ounces. 

To Germany : 

Coffee pounds. 

Oxhides do. . . 

Gold "ounces. 

Deerskins pounds. 

To France : 

Coffee do . . 

Anil do... 

Rubber do. . . 

Deerskins do. . . 

Oxhides do. . . 

Cocoanuts number. 

Gold ounces. 

FROM BLUEFIELDS.* 

To the United States : 

Rubber pounds. 

Cocoanuts number. 

Bananas bunches. 

Oxhides pounds. 

Mahogany pieces. 

Gold value. 



iSgo-'gi. 



Do liars, 

5. 460 



I, 775, 319 

292, 965 

276, 092 

82,059 

11,473 



8,832 
49 

161,078 

10, 504 

9,924 

4,348 

165, 934 

I, 721 

24 



102, 941 

5,312 

460 

500 

I. 831 

9,024 

168 



1891-99. 



Dollars. 



l,o83 



I, 547, 569 

300, 520 

283, lOI 

loi, 084 

5,312 

48, 624 

4 
7, 260 



214,419 

5,515 



5,071 

155,157 
9,013 



2, 602 
17, 060 



2, 760 



743 



184, 335 

108, 640 

729, 000 

97 

340 

32, 273 



♦From April i to September 30, 1893. 



NICARAGUA. 

EXPORTS — continued. 

Table showing the value of exports during iSgo-'gr and iSgi-'gi, 



97 



Whither exported. 



To the United States : 

From Corinto , 

From San Juan del Sur 

From Cabo Gracios 4 Dios 

From Grey Town . „ . . , 

From Bluefields* 

To Germany : 

From San Juan del Sur 

From Grey Town 

To England : 

From San Juan del Sur , 

From Grey Town , 

To France : 

From San Juan del Sur 

From Grey Town , 

To Spanish America, from San Juan del Sur 

To countries other than the United States, from Cabo Gracios 4 Dios. 



Dollars. 

182, 722 

13.996 

74- 293 
551.345 



18,633 
25,628 

30. 215 
126, 137 

2,086 
26, 661 
24. 521 

1.832 



Dollars, 

60, 051 

7,476 

85,768 

593. 107 

519. 234 

2,486 
25, 106 

19, 669 
i26, 293 

5,006 

17. 309 

22, 046 

2, 723 



*From April i to September 30, 1892. 

There were exported from Grey Town also to Italy and 
Colombia in 1892 goods to the value of $2,336. 

William Newell. 

Consul. 
Bull. 61- 7 



Chapter XII. 



POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH SERVICE. 

Nicaragua is a member of the Universal Postal Union. The 
mail service between the Republic and the United States is as 
follows : 

TO SAN JUAN DEL SUR AND CORINTO. 

From New York, by Pacific Mail steamers, via Colon, 1st, loth, and 20th 
of each month. 

From San Francisco, by Pacific Mail steamers, 3d, 13th, and 23d of each 
month. 

TO SAN JUAN DEL NORTE (gREYTOWn). 

From New York, by Pacific Mail steamers, via Colon, 1st, loth, and 20th 
of each month. Honduras and Central American line, twice a month 

TO BLUEFIELDS, 

From New Orleans, by Morgan line, every week; by Bluefields Banana Com- 
pany's steamers, twice a month. 

RATES OF POSTAGE TO AND FROM NICARAGUA. 

Letters. — Five cents in United States and 10 centavos in Nicaragua for each 
half ounce or fraction thereof. 

Postal cards. — Two cents in United States and 3 centavos in Nicaragua, 
each. 

Newspapers. — One cent in United States and 2 centavos in Nicaragua per 
2 ounces. 

Registration fee.— Ttn cents in either country, but Nicaragua charges 5 
cents for returned receipt. 



NICARAGUA. 99 

Paste Restante letters. — The length of time for retaining in the offices of 
destination of unclaimed correspondence addressed " Poste restante" is six 
months in the office of destination and six months longer in the dead letter 
office of the central administration. 

The postal service in Nicaragua is in excellent condition and 
the business transacted is rapidly increasing. A money-order sys- 
tem is in operation in all the principal towns of the Republic, 

The postal receipts as stated in the latest official report, which is issued 
biennially, were: 

For year ending — 

June 30, 1889 $24, 275. 74 

June 30, 1890 35, 774. 73 

During the two years included in the biennial report referred to, 2,237,859 
pieces of mail matter were handled. 

TELEGRAPH. 

The total length of telegraph lines in Nicaragua at date of the latest report 
was 1,549 miles, and of telephone 61 miles, as follows: 

Miles. 

National lines (73 offices). i, 454 

Nicaragua Canal Company (7 offices) 95 

1,549 

National telephone 10 

Private telephone 51 

61 

During the two years embraced in the latest official report, thirteen new 
offices were opened and 250 miles of new lines constructed. The business done 

in the two years was as follows : 

Value. 

Private messages, 215,413 $63, 773. 30 

Official messages, 190,034 70,074. 80 

At San Juan del Sur, on the Pacific coast, connection is made with the sub- 
marine cable, by which dispatches can be sent from any port of Nicaragua to 
any telegraph office in the world. The rates charged for messages from New 
York via Galveston are : 

To San Juan del Sur .... = ,,.,,.,.<,,.,., .per word. . $0. 97 

To all other offices in Nicaragua , do. ... j,©? 

Number of cable messages transmit:t?4 ir? X\^ WO fearSj U1O37, 



Chapter XIII 



IMMIGRATION AND COI.ONIZATION. 

The laws of Nicaragua in regard to immigration and coloni- 
zation are very liberal. Foreigners can acquire real estate and 
dispose of it as freely as the Nicaraguan citizens. The provisions 
of the naturalization laws are also simple and liberal. Immigra- 
tion has not as yet been carried on to such an extent as the Gov- 
ernment and the people of the Republic could wish ; but no efforts 
are omitted to encourage it and push it rapidly to success. The 
Government encourages it by all possible means, and immigrants 
are sure to find in Nicaragua the most friendly welcome on the part 
of both the authorities and the people. At present there are no 
more than one thousand foreigners of different nationalities in the 
whole Nicaraguan territory. Out of this number five hundred 
have settled in the principal cities and are engaged in industrial 
and professional business. The balance are to be found on the 
eastern coast, where they, as a general rule, have become as attached 
to the country as if they were native Nicaraguans. 

The following is the text of the principal laws of Nicaragua, 
having a bearing on the subject, with which the Bureau of Amer- 
ican Republics has had any opportunity to become acquainted: 

LAW ON THE ACQUISITION BY ALIENS OF REAL ESTATE IN THE REPUB- 
LIC OF NICARAGUA. 

The President of the Republic to the inhabitants of the same: 

Whereas, some difficulties may be encountered in the carrying into effect of 
the provisions of the decree of March 30, of the present year^ concerning the 
acquisition of real estate by certain foreigners, 

IQQ 



NICARAGUA. lOl 

I do, therefore, decree: 

Article i. All foreigners shall have the power, without losing thereby their 
own nationality, to acquire public unoccupied lands on the same terms and con- 
ditions as required by law from the citizens of Nicaragua. 

Art. z. The decree of March 30, of the present year, and all other pro- 
visions heretofore enacted in regard to public unoccupied lands, which may in 
any way oppose the present decree, are hereby repealed. 

P. JoAguiN Chamorro. 

Managua, May S', iS/^. 

LAND AND COLONIZATION LAW. 

Decreed by the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives of the Republic 
of Nicaragua : 

Article 1. The Executive shall have authority to give to each family of im- 
migrants, coming from the United States, or of any other nationality whatso- 
ever, with the purpose of settling in the Republic, and becoming naturalized, a 
tract of public unoccupied lands not exceeding 120 manzanas; the said tract to 
be more or less extensive, within said limits, according to the number of per- 
sons composing the family. Single persons shall be allowed not more than 60 
manzanas each. 

Art. 2. The immigrants herein referred to shall enjoy the same rights and 
privileges as native citizens in regard to commons and common lands. They 
shall be exempted, also, for the period of 10 years from municipal charges and 
from military service, unless such service is required for the preservation of the 
liberty and sovereignty of the Republic. 

Art. 3. The lands which shall be granted under the present law shall not be 
allowed to be sold, unless at least one-half of the area thereof be already under 
cultivation, and the grantee has become naturalized in due form of law. 

Art. 4. The Executive shall have also the power to grant similar concessions 
of lands to foreign immigrants, coming to Nicaragua, and who desire to preserve 
their respective citizenship ; but these concessions shall not transfer to these im- 
migrants the right of ownership of the land, but shall place them in the posi- 
tion of mere tenants or beneficiaries. The same shall be the case with those 
immigrants who come to the Republic with the purpose of becoming natural- 
ized, but do not carry their intentions into effect within the period established by 
law. This right shall last for only 10 years, and shall not be transmissible to 
third parties, except by inheritance, unless at least half of the ground granted 
has been placed under cultivation. At the expiration of the 10 years the 
right shall cease, whether the land be in the possession of the immigrant him- 



102 NICARAGUA. 

self or of a third pejson. The ten years shall be counted from the date in 
which the tract of land is delivered to the grantee. 

Art. 5. No immigrant shall be entitled to the privileges of the present law 
who does not come provided with a passport issued in his favor by a Nicaragua 
Minister or Consul, residing in the country from which he comes, which pass- 
port shall be issued according to the instruction already given or hereafter to be 
given by the Government. 

NATURALIZATION LAW. 

The President of the Republic to the inhabitants of the same: 

Know ye that the Congress has enacted the following : 

Decreed by the Senate and Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Nicara- 
gua: 

Article 1. Nicaraguan citizenship may henceforfh be acquired by foreigners, 
in addition to the regular method by which Congress is authorized to grant it 
under Section 9, of Article 41, of the Constitution, in the following ways: 

(1) If the applicant is a Central American, upon proof of his residence for 
one year within the Republic. 

(2) If the applicant proceeds from any other Spanish- American Republic, 
upon proof of the same residence for two years ; and if he is a foreigner of any 
other kind, four years' residence shall be required. 

Art. 2. It will be sufficient for the Central Americans, after their one year's 
residence has been completed, to state their desire to become naturalized in the 
Republic; but all other Spanish Americans shall be bound to make a declaration 
of their intention to become such citizens of Nicaragua. All other foreigners 
shall make this declaration one year before. 

Art. 3. Such Central Americans, Spanish Americans, and all other foreign- 
ers who have resided in the Republic before the promulgation of the present 
law, the length of time required in the preceding article shall only be required 
to declare their intention to become naturalized before the authority designated 
in the next following article. 

Art 4. The declaration of the purpose to settle in the Republic and become 
invested with all the rights of a citizen of Nicaragua shall be made to the city 
corporation, or to the local authority of the place in which the applicant wishes 
to be domiciled. 

Art. 5. The city corporation, or local authority, as the case may be, shall 
enter the application on the journal or book in which its respective proceed- 
ings are recorded, whereupon a proper certificate thereof shall be furnished the 
applicant, and a notice in writing shall be also given to the prefect of the de- 



NICARAGUA. IO3 

partment. At the expiration of the time required, upon proper evidence of 
the fact of the residence, a certificate shall be issued in favor of the applicant, 
which shall be full evidence of his being a naturalized citizen of Nicaragua. 

The naturalization by act of Congress to which article l of the 
naturalization law refers has been frequently bestowed. The Nica- 
raguan Congress has shown no lack of liberality in this respect. 

Sefior Gamez states, upon authority of law (law of March lo, 
1865), that immigrants from the United States of America domi- 
ciled in Nicaragua, even if retaining their American citizenship, 
are entitled to concessions of land, not exceeding 60 acres per 
family, and that they can hold and cultivate said lands as if they 
were their property during the whole time of their residence 
in Nicaragua. But if they declare their intention to become 
naturalized, and in due time acquire the Nicaraguan citizenship, 
then the lands which had been granted to them under the above 
provision shall become theirs in fee simple. 

Agriculturists of whatever nationality, who may be willing to 
undertake the cultivation of coffee, on a larger scale than 5,000 
trees, in the departments of Nueva Segovia, Matagalpa, or Chon- 
tales, will receive from the Government a premium of 5 cents per 
tree. This privilege will cease in the year 1897. (Laws of March 
14, 1879, ^^^ April 8, 1889.) 

Those who may engage in the cultivation of cacao, in larger 
number than 3,000, trees, will receive from the Government a pre- 
mium of 2 1 cents on each tree over four years old. This privilege 
will cease in 1901. (Law of December 15, 1871.) 

Those who may engage in the cvltivation of the India-rubber 
tree are granted a premium of 10 cents per tree. This privilege 
will cease in 1897. 

Those who may engage in the cultivation of the cabuya (Agave 
americana) are granted a premium of one-half cent per plant. This 
privilege expires in 1894. (Law of March 16, 1889.) 

The cultivators of pta (Bromelia) and of cabuya are granted 



104. NICARAGUA. 

an additional premium of $1 on each 100 pounds of fiber which 
they may obtain. They are also entitled to $3 for each 100 
pounds of fiber exported by them. Machinery and implements 
of all kinds to be used for the disintegration of these two plants 
and the proper preparation of the fiber thereof, are admitted free, 
and are exempted also from taxes and local charges. The ex- 
penses of transportation of said machinery and implements are 
paid by the Government (Law of March 13, 1883.) 



..^r:--^ri 




o 



Chapter XIV. 



HISTORICAL AND BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES. 

The history of Nicaragua may be divided naturally into three 
different periods, namely : 

1. The Colonial period, from the discovery (1502) to the proc- 
lamation of independence from Spain and the formation of the 
Central American Confederation (1821). 

2. The Federal period, from 1821 to 1848, in which year the 
Central American Confederation ceased to exist. 

3. The period of the Republic, from 1848 to the present time. 
Colonial Period. — The most prominent figure in the subjugation 

of the territory called Nicaragua was Gil Gonzalez de Avila, who 
found the country under the rule of a cacique, named Nicarao. 
The latter's capital was situated on the shore of the great lake, 
then called Cocibolca, near the site of the present city of Rivas. 
The Spaniards named this lake Nicarao-agua, or water of Nicarao. 
The name Nicaragua was thus created, and it has since been be- 
stowed on the whole Republic. 

The history of the long Spanish rule in Nicaragua is more or 
or less the same as in all the other countries in America which be- 
longed to Spain, and need not be repeated here. 

Federal Period. — On the 15th of September, 1821, Guatemala, 

to which Nicaragua had been attached as a province, proclaimed 

its independence from Spain. This movement was followed by 

Nicaragua and the other provinces, and the Central American 

Confederation was formed. But this federation did not live long. 

105 



106 NICARAGUA. 

Nicaragua and Honduras withdrew from the Union and pro- 
claimed themselves "free and sovereign states," and when Gen. 
Morazon, the great advocate of the federation, died in 1840, the 
cause of the Union was lost. Though efforts have been made 
from time to time to reunite the Central American Republics, all 
have failed, and Nicaragua has continued to control its own gov- 
ernment. 

Period of the RepiMk. — This period witnessed the British inva- 
sion of 1847, ^^ "filibustering" expedition of William Walker 
in 1855, the settlement of the question of limits with Costa Rica 
by the treaty of April 15", i85'8, and the award of President Cleve- 
land who declared it valid, and the initiation of the great work of 
the interoceanic canal. 

In spite of occasional political troubles, the progress of Nica- 
ragua has been uninterrupted and rapid. Public attention is ab- 
sorbed by the important enterprise of the interoceanic canal. The 
entire civilized world has joined Nicaragua in her expectations in 
regard to this work, and it is hoped that, through it, she will attain 
an extraordinary position of prosperity and power, to which she was 
evidently predestined by nature, as a great highway of nations and 
a gateway of the world's commerce. 

The following list of books on Nicaragua can be consulted 
with profit by those who may wish to be informed, from reliable 
sources, in regard to that country: 

NICARAGUAN OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. 

Mensaje que S. E. el Senor General Presidente, Doctor Don Roberto Sacasa 
dirige al Congreso de la Republica, January 4, 1893. 

Informe presentado al Honorable Senor Ministro de la Gobernacidn por el 
Director-General de Correos y Telegrafos. i889-'90. 

Informe de la Comisi6n Nicaragiiense en la Exposici6n Historica Americana de 
Madrid. 1893. 

Memoria de Relaciones Exteriores. Republica de Nicaragua. i889-'90. 

Ap^ndice a la Memoria de Relaciones Exteriores e Instrucci6n Publica. Re- 
publica de Nicaragua. 1891. 



NICARAGUA. IO7 

Breves Noticias de la Republica de Nicaragua mandadas Publicar de Orden del 
Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores. 1892. 

UNITED STATES OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. 

1. Reports on the commerce and inventions of Nicaragua, and on the revenue 

of the same Republic. In Nos. 53, 54, and 64 of the "Reports of the 
Consuls of the United States." 

2. Report on the trade of the district of Greytown in i889-'90. In "Diplo- 

matic and Consular Reports," 1891. No. 913. 

3. Report of the United States Nicaraguan survey party, 1885, by Civil Engi- 

neer A. G. Menocal, U. 8. Navy. 

BRITISH OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. 

1. Report by Mr. Edwin Corbett, British Charge d' Affaires, May 29, 1869. In 

"Reports by Her Majesty's Secretaries of Embassy and Legation." 
No. IV. 1869. London, 1869. 

2. Report by Consul GoUan on the commerce of Greytown and the construc- 

tion of an interoceanic canal through Nicaragua. January, 1876. In 
"Reports of Her Majesty's Consuls." No. 8. 1876. 

3. Report by Consul Gollan on the trade and commerce of Nicaragua. Janu- 

ary, 1877. In "Reports of Her Majesty's Consuls." No. 8. 1887. 

4. Reports by Consul Jessel on the commerce of Nicaragua, and by Consul 

Bingham on the commerce of Greytown. 1882. 

5. Other reports of British Consuls in 1883, 1884, 1885. 

UNOFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS. 

Belly, N. Percement de I'isthme de Panama par le canal de Nicaragua. Paris, 

1885. 
ix Belt, Thomas. The Naturalist in Nicaragua. London, 1873. 

Biilow, A. von. Der Freistaat Nicaragua in Mittelamerika. Berlin, 1849. 
Keller, J. Le canal de Nicaragua. Paris, 1859. 
^ Levy, P. Notas geograficas y econ6micas sobre la Republica de Nicaragua. 

Paris, 1873. 
Marr, Wilhelm. Reise nach Centralamerica. Hamburg, 1863. 
Scherjer, Karl Ritter von. Wanderungen durch die mittelamerikanischen Frei- 

staaten. Braunschweigh, 1857. 
Squier, E. G. Sketches of travel in Nicaragua. New York, 1851. 
Squier, E. G. Nicaragua, its people, scenery, monuments, and the proposed 

interoceanic canal. London, 1852. 



io8 



NICARAGUA. 



Whetham, J. W. Bodhain. Across Central America. London, 1877. 

Plata u Oro. Managua, 1892. 

Algunas palabras sobre la cuesti6n monetaria. Managua, 1892. 

Catecismo de historia patria de la Republica de Nicaragua, por Jos6 D. Gamez. 

Managua, 1889. 
Nicaragua Canal. Report on prospective tonnage of traffic by the Nicaragua 

Canal Construction Company. New York, 1890. 
Notes on the Nicaragua Ship Canal, by W. I. Chambers. 
La Costa de Mosquitosj por J. B. Calvo. Guatemala, 1890. 



Appendix A. 



IMPORT DUTIES OF NICARAGUA. 



DERECHOS DE IMPORTACION EN NICARAGUA. 



In the preparation of these tables the official classification of the Nicaraguan tariff 
has been followed, which differs materially from that of the United States. 

The valuations expressed in English are calculated on the basis of the official valua- 
tion of foreign coins issued by the Director of the Mint of the United States, July i, 
1891, in which the peso is valued 73.6 cents United States currency. 

Duties are assessed on gross weight, no deduction being made for the package. 



Articles. 


Duty per 
pound. 


Artfculos. 


Derechos 
per libra. 


Cotton and manufactiires of cotton. 
Trimmings for dresses 


Dollars. 
0.368 

. no 

.147 

.007 
,022 

.368 

. 221 

.294 

.442 
.147 

.088 


Algodones. 
Adornos para vestidos 


Pesos. 
0. 50 

.15 
• 20 


Damask, tablecloths, napkins, 
and any other damask textures. 


Alemanisco, damasco, manteles, 
servilletas y cualquier otro 
tejido adamascado 


Carpets and mats, of shag 

Cotton, raw, in the seed 

Cotton, without seed 


Alfombras afelpadas 


Algod6n en rama con pepita 

Algod6n sin pepita 


.01 
•03 

.50 

.30 


Antimacassars and all kinds of 
textures of net or for crocheting, 
not otherwise specified 

Barege or balzarine, dress goods, 
imitation of wool, plain or with 
stripes, squares, or flowers of 
cotton 


Antimacasares y todo tejido de 
punto de red 6 al crochet, no 
especificado 


Bareje 6 balsarina, genero para 
trajes, imitaciondelana, llanos 
6 con listas, cuadros 6 flores. . 

Bareje 6 balsarina, genero para 
trajes, imitaci6n de lana, con 
listas, cuadros 6 flores de lana. 

Bareje 6 balsarina, genero para 
trajes, imitacion de lana, con 
listas, cuadros 6 flores de seda. 

Bandana lisa 6 labrada de cual- 
quier color 


Barege or balzarine, dress goods, 
imitation of wool, with stripes, 
squares, or flowers of wool 

Barege or balzarine, dress goods, 
imitation of wool, with stripes, 
squares, or flowers of silk 

Bandana, plain or figured and 
of any color 


.40 

.60 
. 20 


Irish linen, jean, madapolam, im- 
perial, etc., and any other sim- 
ilar bleached texture, under 
whatever name •• 1 1 • f t •••>••• • 


Bogotana, estribilla, irlanda, co- 
quillo, madapolan, setin, im- 
perial y cualquier otro tejido 
blanqueado semejante, con 
cualquier otro nombre 






.13 



fo? 



no 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Cotton and mannfactnres of cotton — 
Continued. 

Cambric muslin and long lawn, 
printed, worked, or figured. . . . 

Cambric muslin, gauze or muslin 
or any other similar texture with 
stripes, squares, or flowers of 
wool 

Shirts, nightshirts, shirt fronts, 
collars, cuffs, trousers, coats, 
jackets, drawers, and similar 
articles, white or colored, plain 
or worked, for men or women. , 

Shirts, with linen collars, cuffs, 
and bosoms , 

Undershirts and drawers,of stock- 
inet 

Canvas for tapestry 

Table covers 

Corduroys, of all kinds, for men's 
wear , 

Tapes or ferret ribbons, webbing 
for boots, plain, fancy, white or 
colored 

Velveteen ribbons of all kinds. . , 



Counterpanes, plain or damasked, 
calendered or worked, with or 
without fringe, and any other 
quilted texture 

Cords, tassels, and fringes, for 
curtains and other similar uses. 



Corsets, finished or not , 

Lace curtains and bed covers ... 

Curtains and bed covers of dam- 
ask or any other similar texture 

White crea or stuffs for sheeting, 
etc 

Creas, etc 

Drills, satinets, imitation cassi- 
meres, etc. , for men 



Embroidered skirts or petticoats 

Laces 

Socks for men and children 



Socks, with woolen or silken 
clocks or embroidered for men 
and children, . 1 1» • 



Duty per 
pound. 



DtUart. 
.221 



255 



.184 



.258 

, 162 
,096 
, II 

.132 



, 132 

,368 



II 

221 

,28 
,368 

,147 

,096 
. 132 

. II 

.221 
.442 
.184 



.221 



Artfculos. 



Algodones — Continda. 



Cambray y estopillas estampa- 
das, trabajadas 6 labradas. . . . 

Cambray, gasa 6 muselinati otro 
tejido semcjante con listas, 
cuadros 6 flores de lana 



Camisas, camisones, pecheras, 
cuellos, pufios, pantalones, 
sacos, chaquetas, calzoncillos 
ycualquier otra obra blanca6 
de color, lisa 6 librada, para 
hombre 6 mujer 

Camisas con cuello, pufios y 
pechera de lino 

Camisolas y calzoncillos de 
punto de medias 

Canamazo 

Carpetas 

Casinetes, casicuero 6 terciopelo 
de algodon, para vestido de 
hombre 

Cintas de reata 6 hiladillo, cintas 
para botin' lisas 6 labradas, 
blancas 6 de color 

Cintas de pana 6 terciopelo de 
algod6n y cualquiera otras 
semejantes 

Colchas lisas 6 adamascadas, 
prensadas 6 labradas, con fleco 
6 sin 61 ycualquier otro tejido 
acolchado 

Cordones, borlas y fiecos para 
cortinas y otros usos seme- 
jantes 

Corses hechos 6 en cortes 

Cortinas ysobrecamas de punto 
6 tejido de encajes 

Cortinas y sobrecamas de da- 
masco fi otro tejido semejante. 

Crea blanca 6 tela para sdbanas 
6 manta de la China 

Creas, 6 enagiiillas 

Driles, rasetes, panillas, imita- 
ci6n casimires, etc., para 
hombres 

Enaguas 6 fustanes bordados. . . 

Encajes 

Escarpines, 6 calcetines para 
hombres 6 nifios 

Escarpines 6 calcetines con listas 
6 adornos de lana 6 seda para 
bombres 6 nifiost * < t • t . t » • • • • 



Derechos 
por libra. 



NICARAGUA. 



Ill 



Articles. 



Cotton and mannfactures of cotton — 
Continued, 

Waistbands, braces, belts, and 
garters 

Fringes for trimming dresses 

Blankets, covers, and ponchos. .. 

Gambroon, Italian cloth, and 
ladies' cloth 

Gauzes and muslins, for bed cur- 
tains or curtains and any other 
similar texture 

Gauzes, muslins, printed, worked, 
or figured 

White gauzes, plain or embroid- 
ered 

Batistes of low quality, plain or 
worked 

Fancy stuffs not otherwise spec- 
ified, plain or worked, with 
stripes, squares, or flowers of 
wool for ladies' dresses 

Fancy stuffs, with stripes, squares, 
or flowers of silk 

Children's caps, plain or with 
cotton trimmings 

Children's caps, with woolen or 
silk trimmings , 

Gloves and caps, plain or em- 
broidered , 

Ginghams of all kinds , 

Hammocks 

Sewing thread for hand or ma- 
chine, white or colored, on 
wooden or metal spools 



Sewing, embroidering, or knitting 

thread, in balls or hanks 

Druggets and floor coverings of 

all kinds, without pile 

Lawns or fine cambric, plain or 

worked 

Canvas for sails, bed sacking, or 
other uses 



Yarn, raw or bleached 

Yarn, colored 

Domestics, unbleached, of all 

kinds and widths 

Domestics, with colored stripes 

and squares 

Drills, unbleached or bleached, 

bedticking, drills, blue, etc., 

or striped in colors ........... 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 

. 221 
,368 



.257 

.184 
.199 
. 162 
.132 

.294 

.442 

.294 

,442 

.368 
. 132 
. II 

. 10 

.118 

.074 

.199 

.088 

.044 
.066 

.052 
.074 

.065 



Artfculos. 



Algodones — Continda. 



Fajas, tirantes y ligas 



Flecos para adornos de vestidos. 
Frazadas 6 cobertores y ponchos. 
Gambron, pano de Italia y pafio 

de damas 

Gasas y muselinas para pabe- 

Uones 6 cortinas y cualquier 

otro tejido semejante 

Gasas 6 muselinas estampadas, 

trabajadas 6 labradas 

Gasa lisa 6 labrada blanca 



Gasa-zaraza de tejido liso 6 la- 
brado 

Genero de fantasia, liso, 6 labra- 
do, con listas, cuadros 6 flores 
de lana para vestidos de senora, 
no especificados 

Gfenero de fantasia con listas, 
cuadros 6 flores de seda 

Gorros para ninos, sin adornar6 
adornados con algodon 

Gorros para ninos adornados 
con lana 6 seda 

Guantes y birretes, lisos 6 bor- 
dados 

Guinga 6 guingam 

Hamacas 

Hilo para coser d mano 6 en 
mdquina, bianco 6 de color, 
en garruchas de madera 6 
metal 

Hilo para coser, bordar 6 tejerd 
mano, en ovillos 6 madejas. . . 

Jergon, genero para pisos de 
toda clase 

Linon i\ oldn clarin, liso 6 la- 
brado 

Lona para velas de embarca- 
ciones, forros de catres y otros 
usos 

Madejon crudo 6 blanqueado. . . 

Madej6nde cualquier otro color. 

Manta lisa cruda, de toda clase 
y ancho 

Manta 4 listas y cuadros de color. 

Manta-dril cruda 6 blanqueada, 
cotin, manta-dril azul, caf6 6 
4 listas de color. , 



Derechos 
por libra. 



Pesos. 



30 



50 
12 



35 



.25 



27 
22 



,40 

,60 

,40 

,60 

.50 
,18 
.15 

.14 
.16 
, 10 
.27 



, 12 
,06 
,09 

.07 
.10 



112 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 


Duty per 
pound. 


Artfculos. 


Derechos 
por libra. 


Cotton and manufactures of cotton — 
Continued. 

Mantillas, shawls, and similar 
articles of lace 


Dollars. 

.368 
. 132 

. 184 

. 221 
.368 

.147 
,044 

.258 

. IIO 

. 184 

. 132 
. 162 

.294 
.442 

.368 

.368 

.442 

. 184 

.221 
.515 

. 132 
.074 

. II 


Algodones— Continfia. 

Mantillas, paiiolones yartlculos 
semejantes de punto 


Pesos. 
SO 


Wicks, for smokers and lamps. . . 


Mechas para fumadores y para 
alumbrado 


. l8 


Stockings for men, women, or 
children 


Medias para hombres, mujeres 


2^ 


Stocki ngs with any kind of woolen 
or silken embroidery, for men, 
women, or children 


Medias conlistas 6 adornos de 
lana6 seda para hombres, mu- 
jeres 6 nifios 


. 30 


Small wares, not specified 


Obras de pasamaneria no espe- 
cificadas 


, SO 


Bishop's or Victoria lawn, or any 
other similar cloth, plain or 
worked 


Oldn de obispo 6 Victoria, 6 
cualquier otro tejido seme- 


. 20 


Candle wick 


Pdbilo 


.06 


Corduroy or velveteen, plain or 
worked, and any similar article. 


Pana 6 terciopelo de algod6n, 
liso 6 lab rado,y cualquier otro 
articulo semejante 


. t; 


Towels of all kinds. 


Paiios de mano 6 tohallas 

Paiiuelos y panolones de muse- 
lina, rasete, olin, zaraza, co- 
quilloy de cualquieraotra cali- 
dad, lisos, asargados 6 bor- 
dados 


. I"! 


Handkerchiefs and shawls, of 
muslin, satinet, batiste, chintz, 
jean, or any other texture, 
plain, twilled, or embroidered. . 


. 2S 


Percales, plain or worked, and 

piqu6, for ladies' wear 

Pique for vests 


Percalaslisas 6 labradas y pique 
para mujer 


18 




. 22 


Poplin or any similar texture, 
with stripes, squares, or flowers 
of wool 


Poplin u otro tejido semejante 
con listas, cuadros 6 flores de 
lana 


. 40 


Poplin, etc., with stripes, squares 
or flowers of silk 


Poplin fi otro tejido semejante, 
con listas, cuadros 6 flores de 
seda 






.60 


Lace nets for bed curtains and 
curtains 


Punto para pabell6n y cortinas, 
tejido de encajes ... . . 


SO 


Bobinet, tulle, crape, and similar 
textures, plain or worked 

Bobinet, etc., with gold or silver 
embroidery 


Punto, tul, crespon y tejidos 
semejantes, lisos 6 labrados. . . 

Punto, tul, cresp6n y tejidos 
semejantes escarchados 

Raso, rasete y cualquier otro 
tejido semejante para mujer . . 

Rebozos 


.50 

6a 


Sateen, satinet, or any similar 
texture for ladies' wear 

Rebozos (Central American 
shawls) 


•25 
• 30 


Rebozos mezclados con seda. . . . 

Sdndalo, lustrina, coletilla 6 
cualquiera otra tela paraforro 
de vestidos 




Rebozos, mixed with silk 

Silesias, lustring, nankeen, or 
any other similar cloth for dress 
lining 


. 70 
18 


Sacks and bags 


Sacos 6 costales 


. 10 


Traveling bags, saddlebags, and 
3,nd other similar articles, ..... 


Sacos de noche, bolsas, alforjas 
y cualquier otro articulo seme- 
jantes.. 


.15 



NICARAGUA. 



ir 



Articles. 



Cotton and manufactures of cotton — 
Continued. 

Materials for hammocks, carriage 
curtains, mattresses, and other 
uses 

Satin stripe batistes, printed .... 

Embroideries, edgings, and in- 
sertions 

Dresses made up, or in lengths, 
of lawn, muslin, tulle, cambric, 
net, or like textures, embroid- 
ered 

Dresses, etc., of cambric, muslin, 
percales, satinet, or any other 
similar texture, trinuned 

Dresses in lengths, plain or with- 
out trimmings. (.S^,? cloth of 
which they may be made.) 

Braids of all kinds 

Baptismal dresses 

Chintzes, plain or figured 

Wool and woolen goods. 

Ladies' wraps 

Ladies' wraps trimmed with silk. 

Carpets, rugs, and similar articles 

Alpacas and other similar tex- 
tures, plain or worked 

Antimacassars 

Mats, for lamps and other uses. . 

Sashes 

Barege or balzarine, plain or 
worked, for ladies' wear. 

Bar6ge with stripes, squares, or 
flowers of silk 

Baize, flannel, or any other similar 
texture 

Mufflers, comforters, and other 
similar articles 

Brocades 

Socks, stockings, undervests, 
drawers, and other articles of 
similar webbing , 

Shirts of all kinds, plain, figured, 

or embroidered , 

Table covers 

Cassimeres, broadcloths, Vene- 
tians, and other similar textures 

Bull, 51™-^a 



Duty per 
pound. 



, 162 
.736 

,442 
.368 



.294 
.368 
.132 



.589 
736 



,294 
,442 
,294. 

.368 

.368 

.552 

.368 

,368 
.552 

,368 



331 

552 



Articulos. 



Algodones — C ontinda, 

Tela 6 genero para hamacas, cor- 
tinas de carros, colchones y 

otros usos 

Tela real estampada para mujer 
Tiras y metidos bordados 

Trajes hechos 6 en cortes, de 
lin6n, muselina, tul, cambray, 
punto 6 tejidos semejantes 
bordados 

Trajes hechos 6 en cortes, de 
cambray, muselina, percala, 
rasete y tejidos semejantes, 
adornados 

Trajes en cortes, lisos 6 sin 
adornos. ( Vdase el g6nero de 
que fueren.) 

Trencillas de toda clase 

Vestidos bautismales 

Zarazas, lisas 6 labradas 

Lauas. 

Abrigos para senoras 

Abrigos para senoras con ador- 
nos de seda 

Alfombras, tapetes y articulos 
semejantes 

Alpaca y cualquier otro tejido 
semejante, liso 6 labrado. . . . 

Antimacasares 

Asientos para lamparas y otros 

usos 

Bandas 

Bareje 6 balsarina.lisa 6 labrada, 
para vestidos de mujer 

Bareje 6 balsarina para id., con 
listas, cuadros 6floresde seda 

Bayetas, franelay cualquier otro 
tejido semejante 

Bufandasy articulos semejantes 

Brocades 

Calcetines6 escarpines, medias, 
camisolas, calzoncillosy cual- 
esquiera otros articulos tejido 
de medias 

Camisas de cualquier tejido, 
lisas, labradas 6 bordadas. . . 

Carpetas 

Casimires, pafios, satinesy cual- 
quier otro tejido semejante, , . 



Derechos 
por libra. 



Pesos. 



114 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Wool and woolen goods — Continued. 

Shawls, capes, cloaks, and simi- 
lar articles 



Shawls, etc., embroidered with 
silk or with silk lace or fringe. 

Blankets, rugs, and ponchos 

Tapes and ribbons or fringes. . . . . 

Cords, tassels, fringes and 
borders for curtains, doors, 
windows, and similar uses. . . . . 

Uppers for slippers, printed or 
embroidered , 

Cubicas, lastings and similar tex- 
tures, plain or worked 

Damasks 

Damasks with silk flowers 

Laces 

Waist bands, braces, and garters 

Fringes and trimmings for dresses 

Gauzes, muslins, and any other 
similar cloth, plain or worked, 
for ladies' dresses 

Fancy dress stuffs with silk 
squares, stripes, or flowers. . . . 

Gloves and caps, plain or em- 
broidered 

Sewing and embroidering thread 

Woolen yarn for weaving 

Frieze, and similar textures 

Coarse floor cloths of all kinds. . 

Wool, raw 

Wool in skeins, loose or twisted, 
for sewing and embroidering. . 

Saddlecloths 

Merinos and cashmeres, and 
similar textures, plain or 
worked 

Small wares 

Trousers, jackets, coats, and all 
kinds of men's ready-made 
clothing 

Sheepskin rugs, long or short hair 

Lace, tulle, crape, and similar 
texture in pieces or made up. . 

Serge and similar textures. ..... 

Bed covers 

Dresses in lengths, or ready- 
made, or any parts of same, 
plain or trimmed. 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
.580 

.736 
. 132 
.442 

.368 



■552 
,883 

.589 
.331 
.515 



.368 

.552 

.589 
,294 
.I84 

.257 
,147 

.074 

.294 
. 221 



368 
589 



,662 
,294 

.552 
.368 
.552 



736 



Artlculos. 



Lanas — Continda. 

Chales, panoletas, mantos 6 
pafiolones y articulos seme- 
jantes 

Chales, panoletas, mantos 6 
paiiolones bordados con seda 
6 con blonda 6 fleco de seda. 

Chamarras, frazadas, mangas y 
ponchos 

Cintas 6 franjas 

Cordones, borlas, fldcos y blon- 
das para cortinas, puertas, 
ventanas y usos semejantes. . 

Cortes parachinelasestampadas 
6 bordadas 

Cfibicas, duraderas y tejidos se- 
mejantes, lisos 6 labrados. . . 

Damascos 

Damascos con fiores de seda. . . 

Encajes 

Fajas, tirantes y ligas 

Flecos y adornos para vestidos. 

Gasas, muselinas y cualquiera 
otra tela, lisa 6 labrada para 
vestido de mujer 

Genero de fantasia, con cuadros, 
listas 6 fiores de seda 

Guantes y birretes lisos 6 bor- 
dados 

Hilo para coser 6 bordar 

Hilo para tejer (madej6n) 

Jergas y tejidos semejantes. . . . 

Jergon, genero para pisos, de 
toda clase 

Lana en bruto 

Lana en madejas, suelta 6 torci- 
da para coser 6 bordar 

Mantillones 

Merino, cachemira y tejidos se- 
mejantes, lisos 6 labrados. . . 

Obras de pasamaneria 

Pantalones, sacos, levitasy toda 
clase de rope hecha para 
hombre 

Pellones o zaleas 

Punto, tdl, cresp6ny tejidos se- 
mejantes, en piezas fi obras. . 

Sarga y tejidos semejantes 

Sobrecamas 

Trajes en cortes 6 hechosy cual- 
quiera otra pieza lisa 6 ador- 
nada para vestido de mujer. . 



NICARAGUA. 



115 



Articles. 


Duty per 
pound. 


Artlculos. 


Derechos 
por libra. 


Wool and woolen goods— Continued. 
Dresses, etc., trimmed with silk. 

Braids of all kinds 


Dollars. 

.883 

.368 

.022 
•037 

.074 
.096 

.147 
.015 
. II 

. II 

.014 

.088 

.147 
.258 

.368 
.383 
.442 

.405 
.552 

.221 

.405 
.405 

.552 
.206 

.405 
.553 


Lanas— Continda. 

Trajes en cortesohechosy cual- 
quiera otra pieza adornada con 
sedapara vestido demujer. . . . 

Trencillas de toda clase 

NoTA. — Todo articulo de lana 
mezclado con algodon 6 lino 
pagara como lana, y los no espe- 
cificados y mezclados con seda 
pagardn como seda. 

Cauamos. 

Bramante de toda clase 


Pesos. 
I. 20 


Note. — Articles of wool mixed 
with cotton or linen pay as wool, 
and articles not specially enu- 
merated of wool mixed with silk 
pay as silk. 

Hemp and manufactures of hemp. 

Bagging of all kinds 


.01 


Cordaere or risrsfinaf 




.Ci 


Hemp, common, for sewing.loose, 

in skeins or twisted 

Canvas for crewel-work, etc . . . . - 


Canamo ordinario suelto, en 
madejas 6 torcido para coser. . 


. 10 


Drills raw or bleached 


Driles crudos 6 blanqueados. . . . 

Estopa 6 cailamo en rania 

Panos de mano 6 tohallas 

Rusia, brin 6 crehuela 


2C 


Tow or hemp, undressed 

Towels 


.02 
. I'? 


Russia duck, sailcloth or osna- 


. I"! 


bu rg 


Sacos 6 costales 




Sacks and bao^s 


02 


Hemp cloth, such as canvas 

Linen and linen goods. 

Damask and other similar tex- 
tures 


Tela de caiiamo como lona 

Linos. 
Alemanisco, damasco y tejidos 


. 12 


Britanny, Irish linen, long lawn, 
white crea, and similar textures. 


Bretafia, irlanda,estopilla, royal, 
crea blanca y tejidos seme- 
jantes 


. '^5 


Drawers for men 


Calzoncillos para hombres 

Camisas y pecheras lisas 

Camisas y pecheras bordadas. . . 

Camisones, calzoncillos, sacos y 
cualquiera otro obra lisa 6 la- 
brada para mujer 




Shirts and shirt fronts, plain 

Shirts, etc., embroidered 


•52 

6c 


Chemises, drawers, bodices, and 
any other article, plain or 
figured, for women's wear 

Chemises, etc., embroidered 


. "^"i 


Camisones, calzoncillos, sacos y 
cualquiera otra obra bordada 
para mujer 


7"^ 


Nankeen, etc., hollands and 
other similar tissues, raw or 
colored 


Cotray, coleta, holanday tejidos 
semejantes, crudos 6 de color. 

Cuellos y pufios para hombres. . 
Cuellosy punoslisos paramujer. 
Cuellos y pufios bordados para 


.3c 


Collars and cufTs for men 

Collars, etc., plain, for women. . . 

Collars, etc., embroidered, for 

women 


■ 55 
• 55 


Drill, plain or worked 


Dril militar, liso 6 labrado 

Enaguas 6 fustanes, lisos 6 la- 


28 


Skirts and petticoats, plain or 
worked 




Skirts, embroidered 


Ensiguas 6 fustanes bordados , .. 


•71 



ii6 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Linen and manufactures of linen — 
Continued. 

Laces, fringes, and trimmings of 

an}' kind for women 

Thread on wooden or metal spools 

Thread in skeins or hanks, or 
other forms for sewing or em- 
broidering 

Linen yarn for weaving , 

Canvas and duck , 

Tablecloths and napkins 

Small wares not otherwise speci- 
fied 

Linen cambric 

Trousers, coats, drawers, and 
other articles not otherwise 
specified, for men 

Handkerchiefs, shawls, and simi- 
lar articles, embroidered , 

Handkerchiefs, etc., plain , 

Sheeting 

Embroider)', edgings, and inser- 
tions , 

Dresses, in lengths or made up, 
or any other article trimmed 
for women's dresses 

Dresses, etc., embroidered, not 
otherwise specified. , 



Note. — Articles of linen mixed 
with cotton pay duty as linen. 



Silk and silk goods. 

Trimmings of all kinds, fringes, 
braids, cords, etc 

Silk alpacas and Chinese silks. . . 

Sashes of Canton crape, net, lace, 
or any other texture 

Tassels, guipures, fringes, and 
cords for curtains and similar 
uses 

Brocades, plain, worked, or em- 
broidered 

Brocades, plain, worked, or em- 
broidered with gold or silver. . 

Canton crape 

Undershirts, stockings, drawers, 
and socks 

Table covers, plain, worked, or 
cuibroidcred 



Duty per 
pound. 



.736 
, IIO 



, 132 

,074 
,088 
,147 

.736 

.442 



.368 

.552 
,442 

.184 



552 
736 



1.472 

1. 104 

1.288 



I. 104 

1.472 

1.656 
1.472 

1.472 

1, 47» 



Artfculos. 



Linos — Continfia. 

Encajes, blondas y adornos de 
toda clase para mujer 

Hilo en garruchas de madera 6 
metal 

Hilo en medcjas, ovillo 6 en 
cualquiera otra forma para 
coser 6 bordar 

Hilo para tejer (madejon) 

Manta lona 

Manteles y servilletas 

Obras de pasamaneria no espe- 
cificadas 

Oldn batista 

Pantalones, sacos, calzoncillosy 
cualquiera otra obra no espe- 
cificada, para hombre 

Pafiuelos, panoletas y panolo- 
nes, bordados 

Pafiuelos, panoletas, panolones 
y articulos semejantes, lisos. 

Tela para sdbanas 

Tiras y metidos bordados 

Trajes en cortes 6 hechos, 6 
cualquiera otrapieza adorna- 
da para vestidos de mujer. . . 

Trajes en cortes 6 hechos, 6 
cualquiera otra pieza bordada 
3' no especificada para vestidos 

de mujer 

NoTA. — Todo articulo delino 

mezclado con algodon se repu- 

tara como lino. 

Sedas. 

Adornos de toda clase, flecos, 
trencillas, cordones, etc , 

Alpaca de seda 6 genero chino. . 

Bandas de burato, redecilla, 
punto 6 cualquier otro tejido. . 

Borlas, blondas, flecos y cordo- 
nes para cortinas y usos seme- 
jantes 

Brocado liso, labrado 6 bordado. 

Brocado liso, labrado 6 bordado 

con oro 6 plata 

Burato 

Camisolas, medias, calzoncillos 

y escarpines 

Carpetas lisas, labradas 6 bor- 



Derechos 
por libra. 



KICARAGUA. 



117 



Articles. 



Silk and silk goods— Continued. 

Tapes and ribbons of all kinds. . . 

Cravats for men or women 

Damasks and similar textures. . . . 

Laces 

Gauze, muslin, lawn, crape, lace, 

tulle, and similar textures 

Children's hoods or caps 

Gros, taffeta, serge, satin, and any 

similar tissues, plain, worked, 

or embroidered 

Gloves and caps 

Garters 

Handkerchiefs, plain, worked, or 

embroidered 

Shawls, wraps, and cloaks, plain, 

worked, or embroidered 

Rebozos (Central American shawl). 
Rebozos, half cotton and half silk . 

Coats, jackets, or any other made- 
up article for men 

Floss or twisted silk on bobbins. 

Floss, etc., in skeins 

Velvet, plain or worked 

Braces and waistbands 

Ladies' dresses in lengths or made 
up, or any other article of dress 
for ladies, plain, worked, or 
embroidered 

Sacerdotal robes, or vestments for 
images, ministers, or servants 
of the church, as dalmaticas, 
chasubles, mantles, palls, etc., 
ornamented or not, with gal- 
loon or embroidery 

Note. — Articles of silk mixed 

with cotton, wool, or linen pay 

duty as silk. 

Metals and manufactures. 

Steel in bars or plates 

Needlesof steel or any other met- 
al, other than gold or silver. . . . 

Packingneedles for sewing sacks, 
etc 

Iron or steel wire of any thick- 
ness, galvanized or not 

Copper wire 

Pins, clasps, eyelets, hooks, hair- 
pins . ,,,, ,,,, , 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
1.288 
I. 251 
1.472 
1.84 

1.325 
I. 104 



1.472 

2. 208 

.515 

1.288 

1.472 

1.472 

.515 



1.472 

•736 
I. 104 
1.472 
I. 104 



1.472 



.014 
.368 
. 221 
.029 

.037 
. 221 



Articulos. 



Sedas — Continua. 

Cintas 6 listones de toda clase. . . 

Corbatas para hombre 6 mujer. . 

Damasco y tejidos semejantes.. 

Encajes 

Gasa, muselina, olan, crespon, 
punto, tuly tejidos semejantes, 

Gorros para ninos 

Gro, tafetin, sarga, raso y cual- 
quier otro tejido semejante, 
liso, labrado 6 bordado 

Guantes y birretes 

Ligas 

Pafiuelos, lisos, labrados 6 bor- 
dados 

Pafiolones, chales, manteletas, 
lisos, labrados 6 bordados . . . 

Rebozos 

Rebozos de media-seda (seda y 
algodon) 

Sacos 6 cualquiera otra obra tra- 
bajada para hombre 

Seda fl[oja6torcida encarreteles. 

Seda fioja otorcidaen madejas. . 

Terciopelo liso 6 labrado 

Tirantes y fajas 

Trajes en cortes 6 hechos, y 
cualquiera otra pieza para 
vestido de senora, lisos, labra- 
dos 6 bordados 

Vestiduros sacerdotales 6 vesti- 
dos para imdgenes, ministros 
6 sirvientes de iglesia, como 
dalmaticas, casullas, mantos, 
palios. etc., esten 6 no adorna- 
dos con galon 6 bordaduras . . 
NoTA. — Articulos de seda 

mezclados con algodon, lana 6 

lino pagardn como seda. 



Acero en barras 6 planchas 

Agujas de acero 6 de otro metal, 

no siendo oro ni plata 

Agujas grandes para coser sacos. 

Alambre de hierro 6 acero de 
cualquiergrueso, seao nogal- 
vanizado 

Alambre de cobra 

Alfileres, gafetes, ojetes, horqui- 
Ilas y ganchos para el pelo 



Derechos 
por libra. 



Pesos. 
1-75 

1. 70 

2. 00 
2. 50 

I. 80 

1.50 



1-75 

2. 00 
2.00 

.70 

2. 00 

1. 00 
1.50 

2. 00 
1.50 



2.50 



50 
.30 



.04 
.05 



,30 



ii8 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Metals and manufactures — Cont'd. 

Imitation gold and silver jewelry 
of all kinds 



Gold jewelry of all kinds 

Silver jewelry of all kinds 

Gold and silver jewelry set with 
precious stones 

Anchors, chains for ships, ma- 
chinery, wagon tires, nails, 
screws, rivets, round-headed 
nails, bolts, balconies, and 
grates, whether of cast iron or 
not 

Fishhooks 

Chandeliers and candelabra of 
any kind of metal, with the ex- 
ception of gold and silver 

Side arms, such as swords, dag- 
gers, rapiers, and sabers 

Firearms, percussion, as guns in 
separate or parts or finished. . . . 

Firearms, such as revolvers or 
pistols 

Firearms, precision (by special 
permission of the Government). 

Guns for shooting galleries, fire 
and air, up to 6 millimetres cali- 
ber 

Firearms for purposes of war, as 
rifles, cannons, mitrailleuses, 
etc. (prohibited). 

Pails, tubs, axles, carriage 
springs, kitchen utensils, and 
similar articles 



Bayonets (prohibited). 

Iron hinges 

Copper or brass hinges 

Brass or copper in bars or sheets 

Brass articles of all kinds not oth- 
erwise specified 

Cables, iron or steel 

Chains for dogs or horses 

Safes and chests for keeping 
money or valuables 

Padlocks, locks, door knockers, 
bolts, ke)'s, picklocks, sash 
bolts, jambs, knobs, and any ar- 
ticles for doors and windows 
not otherwise specified 



Duty per 
pound. 



Pinchers and pans of galvanized 
iron 



Dollars. 
1.84 

7-36 
4.416 

II. 04 



,014 

.147 



.074 

.736 

. 132 

1.472 

I. 104 

.552 



.022 

.029 

.044 
•037 



,096 
,014 
,022 

,022 



Articulos. 



Metales — Contintia, 

Alhajas de toda clase, imitacion 
de oro 6 plata, como double, 
plaqu6 6 cualquier otro metal. 

Alhajas de oro de toda clase. . . . 

Alhajas de plata de toda clase . , 

Alhajas de oro 6 plata con pie- 
dras preciosas , 

Anclas, cadenas para embarca- 
ciones, maquinaria 6 carretas, 
llantas, clavos, remaches, per- 
nos, balcones, y verjas, scan 
6 no de hierro fundido 



Derechos 
por libra. 



059 
■059 



Anzuelos 

Aranasy candelabros de cual- 
quier metal, no siendo oro ni 
plata 

Armas blancas, como espadas, 
dagas, floretes y sables 

Armas de fuego, de piston, como 
escopetas,en piezas 6 armadas. 

Armas de fuego como rev61vers 
6 pistolas 

Armas de fuego de precision (con 
permiso especial delGobierno). 

Armas de salon, de fuego 6 aire, 
calibre hasta de 6 millmetros . 

Armas de fuego para ej^rcito, co- 
mo rifles, canones, ametralla- 
doras, etc. (prohibidas). 

Baldes, banaderas, ejes, muelles 
para carruajes, utensilios de 
cocina de toda clase y articulos 
semejantes 

Bayonetas (prohibidas). 

Bisagras de hierro 

Bisagras de cobre 6 bronce 

Bronce 6 cobre en liminas 6 
barras 

Bronce en obras de toda clase no 
especificadas 

Cables de hierro 6 acero 

Cadenas para perros 6 caballos. . 

Cajas 6 areas para guardar di- 
nero 6 valores 

Candados, cerraduras, aldabas, 
cerrojos, Haves, picaportes, 
pasadores, maniguetas y peri- 
llas, y todo articulo parapuer- 
tas 6 ventanas, no especifica- 
do 

C^ntaros y panas de hierro gal- 
vanizado , 1 • . . . • . 1 1 • • t • 



NICARAGUA. 



119 



Articles. 



Metals and manufactures— Cont'd. 
Imitation gold and silver thread. . 

Bells, sheaves, pulle)'S or blocks, 
casters for furniture and similar 
articles 

Small bells of any metal except 
gold or silver 

Caps or cartridges of metal or 
cardboard, loaded or unloaded, 
for all kinds of arms 

Capsules of metal for bottles . . . . 

Harness bells of any metal except 
gold or silver 

Sieves, screens, or stminers and 
articles of steel or iron wire 
cloth 

Copper nails, tacks, and screws, 
pans, kettles, boilers, and sim- 
ilar articles of copper 

Copper ornaments of any kind 
not specified 

Iron stoves 

Table knives and forks 

Spoons and forks of tin plate, zinc, 
tin, pewter, or any other metal 
except gold or silver , 

Thimbles of any metal except 
gold or silver , 

Steel and tinder boxes of any kind 
of metal except gold or silver. . 

Imitation enamel, tinsel, and span- 
gles 

Tin in bars or sheets 

Manufactures of tin of every kind 
and for all purposes 

Bits, curbs, muzzles, spurs, stir- 
rups, currycombs, buckles and 
rings for saddlery; and similar 
articles of any metal except gold 
or silver 



Duty per 
pound. 



Hooks and pegs for clothes and 
other purposes, of any metal ex- 
cept gold or silver 

Axes 

Buckles of every kind, for trousers 
and vests, except those of gold 
and silver 

Buckles for ornaments, of any 
metal except gold and silver.for 
waistbands, braces, shoes, trou- 
sers, and any other use. 



Dollars. 
. 221 



.022 
. II 



.059 
.037 



.037 



059 

, II 

.014 

,074 



Artlculos. 



,368 
, 022. 



,074 



.037 



.059 
,037 



.074 



184 



Derechos 
por libra. 



Metales — Contintia. 

Canutillo que no sea de oro 6 
plata 

Campanas, roldanas, carrillos 6 
motones.ruedas para muebles 
y articulos semejantes 

Campanillasdecualquier metal, 
no siendo oro ni plata 

Capsulas 6 cartuchos metalicos 
6 de carton, cargados 6 sin car- 
gar, paratodaclase de armas. . 

Capsulas de cualquier metal para 
tapar botellas 

Cascabeles de cualquier metal, 
no siendo oro ni plata 

Cedazos, zarandas 6 cribas y de- 
mds artefactos de tela deacero 
6 de hierro 

Cobre en clavos, tachuelasytor- 
nillos, pailas, calderos, pero- 
les y articulos semejantes .... 

Cobre en obras de adorno deto- 
da clase, no especificadas .... 

Cocinas de hierro 

Cubiertos de mesa 

Cucharas y tenedores de hoja 
lata, zinc, estano, peltre, etc. 
no siendo oro ni plata 

Dedales de cualquier metal, no 
siendo oro ni plata 

Eslabones y yesqueros de cual- 
quier metal, no siendo oro ni 
plata 

Esmalte false ti oropel y bri- 
chos 

Estano en barras 6 planchas. . . . 

Estano en obras 'de toda clase y 
para cualquier uso 

Frenos, barbadas,bozales,espue- 
las, estribos, almohazas, hebi- 
llas y argollas para talabarte- 
ria, y articulos semejantes de 
cualquier metal, no siendo oro 
ni plata 

Ganchos 6 perchas para roperos 
y otros usos, de cualquier me- 
tal, no siendo oro ni plata. . . . 

Hachas 

Hebillas de toda clase para pan- 
talones y chalecos, no siendo 
oro ni plata 

Hebillas de adorno de cualquier 
metal, no siendo oro ni plata, 
para fajas, tirantes, calzado, 
pantalones y cualquier otro uso 



120 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Metals and manufactures — Cont'd. 

Tools for crafts and trades, such 
as adzes, gimlets, augers, com- 
passes, bistouries, burins, chis- 
els, gouges, hatchets, files, ham- 
mers, picks, punches, cork- 
screws, pincers, wrenches, 
planes, jack planes, awls, nip- 
pers, saws of all kinds and 
sizes, masons' trowels, squares, 
pliers, and all kinds of similar 
articles 



Tools for agricultural purposes, 
such as hoes, spades, rakes, 
shovels, and other similar arti- 
cles , 

Iron in bars or sheets 

Articles of cast iron, such as rail- 
ing, boilers, smoothing irons, 
rails, pillars, posts, pieces for 
buildings, axle boxes, pans, 
ovens, etc 

Articles of cast iron of any kind 
not otherwise specified 

Iron, enameled, colored, in man- 
ufactures of any kind, such as 
cups, basins, plates, jugs, mugs, 
pots, candlesticks, etc 

Iron, malleable, in articles of any 

kind not specified 

Tin plates or sheet brass 

Tin and brass articles 

Cages, traps and mouse traps of 
iron 

Bird cages of copper 

Lamps, of iron or other metal ex- 
cept of gold and silver,and met- 
al utensils of all kinds for light- 
ing 

Spangles of any metal except gold 
or silver 

Watch keys, except of gold and 
silver 

Machetes and knives for indus- 
trial purposes .,...,,, 



Duty per 
pound. 



.037 



,022 
,007 



014 



037 



, 029 
, 014 
.059 



.037 
,074 



074 
, 184 
, 184 
,074 



Metales — Continda. 

Herramientas para artes y oficios, 
como azuelas, barrenos, berbi- 
quies, compases, bisturies, 
buriles, escoplos, formones, 
hachuelas, limas, martillos, 
picos, saca-bocados, saca-cor- 
chos, tenazas, Haves univer- 
sales, desatornilladores, cepi- 
llos, garlopas, garlopines, 
alesnas, pinzas, serruchos de 
toda clase y tamano, cucharas 
de albanileria, escuadras, ali- 
cates, y toda clase de articu- 
los semejantes 

Herramientas para agricultura, 
como cobas, macanas, azadas, 
rastrillos, palas y articulos se- 
mejantes , 

Hierro en barras 6 planchas . . . . 

Hierro fundido en obras, como 
carriles, calderos, planchas 
paraaplanchar, rieles, pilares, 
postes, piezas para edificios, 
bocinas para ruedas de carre- 
tas, pailas, hornillas 6 articu- 
los semejantes 

Hierro fundido en obras detoda 
clase, no especificadas 

Hierro csmaltado en colores, en 
obras de toda clase, como ta- 
zas, bacinillas, platos, jarros, 
picheles, palanganas,.candele- 
ros, etc 

Hierro maleable en obras de to,- 
da clase, no especificadas . . . . 

Hoja lata 6 laton en hojas 

Hoja lata 6 laton en obras de 
toda clase y para cualquier 
uso 

Jaulas, trampas y ratoneras de 
hierro 

Jaulas de cobre para pdjaros. . . . 

Ldmparas de hierro 6 cualquier 
otro metal, no siendo oro ni 
plata, y titiles de metal para 
alumbrado de toda clase 

Lentejuela de cualquier metal, 
no siendo oro ni plata 

Llaves para relojes, no siendo de 
roo ni plata 

Machetes, cutachas y cuchillos 
para artes y oficios 



NICARAGUA, 



121 



Articles. 



Metals and manufactures — Cont'd. 

Plated metal, electroplate, or 
nickel plate, manufactured for 
table use, such as plates, trays, 
spoons, forks, mugs, basins, 
cups, pitchers, casters, etc., and 
objects of luxury and ornament, 
etc 



Moldings of any metal, painted, 
enameled, silvered, or gilded. . , 

Furniture of iron or steel, such as 
beds, cots, and cradles, with or 
without wire mattresses, chairs, 
and similar articles 



Furniture, etc., with brass posts, 
with or without wire mattresses, 
chairs, lounges, and similar fur- 
niture, with brass parts or orna- 
ments 

Razors, penknives, scissors, and 
all similar instruments 

Pieces of clockwork 

Lead, worked or not 

Steel pens 

Gold pens 

Fancy daggers 

Watches of any metal except gold 
or silver 

Gold watches 

Silver watches 

Clocks of all kinds 

Balances and scales 

Tacks and screws of iron and steel 

Netting of copper wire 

Netting of iron or steel wire. . . . 

Zinc in sheets or plates 

Zinc, manufactured 

Food products and condiments. 

Olives, capers, and pickles in 

vinegar or brine 

Olives in oil 

Sirups and jellies of any kind. . 
Saffron 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 



552 



037 



.257 
.368 
. 014 
.294 
3.68 
. 221 

2. 208 

7.36 
4.416 

.147 

.074 
.029 

.074 
•037 

. 022 
.074 



, 014 
,088 

■059 
, 184 



Artfculos. 



Metales — Continua. 

Metal plateado, electro-plata 6 
nikel manufacturado, en obras 
de vajilla, como azafates, ban- 
dejas, cucharas, tenedores, 
picheles, palanganas, tazas, 
jarros, convoyes, etc., y en 
obras de lujo, de adorno 6 
para cualquier uso 

Molduras de cualquier metal, 
pintadas, esmaltadas, platea- 
das 6 doradas 

Muebles de hierro 6 acero, como 
camas, catres y cunas, con 6 
sin colchones de alambre, 
sillas, butacasy muebles seme- 
jantes 

Muebles de hierro 6 acero, como 
camas, catres y cunas con 
pilares de bronce, con 6 sin 
colchones de alambre, sillas, 
butacasym.ueblessemej antes, 
con piezas 6 adornos de 
bronce 

Navajas, cortaplfimas, tijeras y 
todo instrumento semejante. . . 

Piezas para relojes 

Plomo en brute 6 labrado 

Plumas de acero 

Plumas de'oro. 

Punales finos 

Relojes de bolsa de cualquier 
metal, no siendo de oro ni 
plata 

Relojes de bolsa de oro 

Relojes de bolsa de plata 

Relojes de toda clase para pared 
6 mesa 

Romanas y balanzas 

Tachuelas ytornillos de hierro 6 
acero 

Tejidos de alambre de cobre. . . . 

Tejidos de alambre de hierro 6 
acero 

Zinc en pliegos 6 planchas 

Zinc manufacturado. 

Alimentos y condimentos. 

Aceitunas, alcaparras yencurti- 
dos en vinagre 6 salmuera. . . . 

Aceitunas en aceite 

Almibar 6 jalea de toda clase. . . 
Azafran de comer 



Derechos 
por libra. 



.75 
•15 

.03 

• 05 

• 35 
.50 
. 02 
.40 

5.00 
.30 



3.00 

10. 00 

6.00 

. 20 
. 10 

.04 
. 10 

• 05 

• 03 
. 10 



.02 
, 12 



25 



122 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Food products and condiments — 
Continued. 

Sugar 

Cocoa in beans or ground 

Coftee in beans or ground 

Cinnamon in sticks or powder. . . 
Meats of all kinds, dried, smoked, 

or salted 

Meats, in brine, in barrels 

Meats, preserved or seasoned, 
canned or not. including hams. . 

Pearl barley , 

Onions and garlic 

Cloves 

Cumin seed, lavender, canary 
seed, aniseed, coriander, and 
pepper 

Confectionery, sweetmeats, bon- 
bons, and sugar orgum pastes, 
in any form, wrapper, or pack- 
age 

Rennet for cheese making 

Residuum of brown sugar in 
loaves or cakes 

Fruit essences for sirups 

Extract of meat 

Vermicelli, macaroni, and other 
farinaceous pastes i . , 

Fresh fruit in its natural state. . . . 

Fruits preserved in juice 

Fruits, dried, with or without their 
skins or shells, not sugared, 
and dried fruits, such as rai- 
sins and prunes 

Fruits of all kinds in sugar, honey, 
or any other sweet liquor 

Biscuits or crackers of all kinds. , 

Peas in cans 

Flour 

Condensed milk 

Vegetables of all kinds, preserved 
orpickled, inany kindof pack- 
age 

Vegetables, fresh in natural state, 
not otherwise specified , 

Lard 

Butter and prepared mustard. . . , 

Shellfish of all kinds, preserved 
in oil, vinegar, etc 

Shellfish, dried or smoked 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
.029 
•74 
.037 
. II 

. 022 
. 014 



.059 

.022 
. 014 
.059 



.044 



.059 
. 184 

.014 
.368 
.147 

. 022 
. 014 
•037 



,044 

,052 

,029 
.022 
.007 
.037 

,014 

.007 

.037 
.059 

. 029 
.022 



Art(culos. 


Derechos 
por libra. 


Alimentos y condimentos— Contintia. 
Azficar 


Pesos. 
.04 
. 10 
•05 
.15 

•03 

.02 


Cacao en grano 6 molido 

Cafe en grano 6 molido 

Canela en rama 6 molida 

Carnes de toda clase, secas, 
ahumadas 6 saladas 


Carnes de toda clase en sal- 
muera, enbarriles 


Carnes de toda clase conserva- 
das 6 condimentadas, vengan 
6noenlatas, inclusivejamon. . 

Cebada perlada 


.08 
.03 

. 02 


Cebollas y ajos 


Clavos de olor 


.08 


Cominos.alhucema, alpiste, anis, 
culantro y pimienta 


.06 


Confituras, confites, dulces, pas- 
tillas de azucar 6 goma, en 
cualquierforma, envase 6 em- 
naaue 


.08 


Cuajo para leche 


•25 
. 02 


Dulce, chancaca 6 rapadura en 
panela 6 marqueta 


Esencias de frutas para siropes. 
Extracto de carne 


•50 
. 20 


Fideos y demds pastas deharina. 

Frutas frescas en estado natural . 
Frutas en su jugo 


•03 

.02 
.05 

.06 

.07 
.04 
.03 
. 01 


Frutas secas, con 6 sin ciscara, 
no confitadas y frutas pasa- 
das, como uvas y ciruelas. . . . 

Frutas de toda clase, conserva- 
das en dulce, miel, rosoli 6 
cualquier otro licor dulce 

Galletas de toda clase 


Guisantes 6 petitpois 


Leche condensada 


.05 
. 02 


Legumbres de toda clase, conser- 
vadas 6 encurtidas en cual- 
quier envase 


Legumbres frescas en estado na- 
tural, no especificadas 

Manteca de puerco 


.01 

•05 
.08 

.04 

.03 


Mantequillaymostaza compuesta 
Mariscos de toda clase conser- 

vados en aceite, vinagre, etc. . 
Mariscos de toda clase, secos 6 

ahumados. 



NICARAGUA. 



123 



Articles. 



Food products and condiments — 
Continued. 

Molasses and honey 

Sausage, Bologna, and others. . . . 
Fish of all kinds, preserved in oil, 

vinegar, etc 

Fish, dried or smoked 

Cheese of all kinds 

Sago, maizena, tapioca, and simi- 
lar food substances 

Salt, table 

Sauces, of all kinds 

Sirups and juices 

Tea 

Bacon and salt pork 

Vinegar 

Medicines, drugs, and apothecary's 
sundries. 

Oils, olive, linseed, almond, cas- 
tor, cocoanut, cod-liver, and 
other similar oil , 



Acids, hydrochloric, muriatic, 
sulphuric, and nitric 

Acids, phenic, carbolic, and ox- 
alic (binoxolate of potash) 

Spiritsof turpentine, and gaseous, 
mineral, and acidulated waters. 

Orange and rose water 

Eau de Cologne, lavender, Florida, 
kananga, and other similar per- 
fumed waters 

White lead or carbonate of lead. . 

Alum 

Liquid ammonia or volatile al- 
kali 

Rock candy 

Sulphur of all kinds 



Bicarbonate of soda and crystal- 
lized carbonate of soda 

Borax 

Bandages and trusses of all kinds 

Boxes of wood or cardboard for 
drug stores 

Chloride of lime 

Medicinal sweetmeats or pas- 
tilles 

Corks for stoppers of bottles or 
vessels, 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
•037 
.074 

. 052 
•037 

•059 
.029 

.0036 

.037 
.022 
. II 
.029 
.073 



,022 

,022 

.037 

.014 
.074 



.052 
.029 
.014 

.029 

.059 
,022 



.014 

.037 
,147 

,014 
,007 

, II 

,074 



Artfculos. 



Derechos 
por libra. 



Alimentos y condimentos — Continfia. 

Miel de azficar 6 de abejas 

Mortadela y salchich6n 

Pescados de todaclase, conser- 

vados en aceite, vinagre, etc. . 
Pescados de toda clase, secos 6 

ahumados 

Quesos de toda clase 

Sagfi, maizena, tapioca, y otras 

materiasalimenticias semejan- 

tes 

Sal para comer. 

Salsas de toda clase 

Siropes y jarabes 

Te 

Tocino y tocineta 

Vinagre 

Medicinas, drogas y utiles de hoti- 
cas y droguerias. 

Aceite de olivas, linaza, almen- 
dras, castor, coyol, coco,baca- 
lao y cualquiera otro de este 
g^nero 

Acido clorhidrico, muriitico, 
sulffirico y nitrico 

Acido fenico 6 carb61ico, y ox4- 
lico (sal de acedera) 

Aguarris, aguas gaseosas, mi- 
neralesyaciduladas 

Agua de azahares y de rosas 

Aguade Colonia, labanda fiori- 
da,divina, kanangay otras aro- 
miticas semejantes 

Albayalde6 carbonatodeplomo, 

Alumbre 

Amonaco liquido6dlcali voldtil 

Azucar cande 

Azufre de toda clase en flores, 
lavado, en barras, etc 

Bicarbonate desoda y carbonato 
de soda cristalizado 

Borax, atincar 6 borato desoda. 

Bragueros de toda clase 

Cajitas de madera 6 carton para 
uso de boticas 

Cloruro de cal 

Confites 6 pastillas medicinales 

Corchos parataponesdebotellas 
6 vasos 



Pesos. 

.05 
. 10 

.07 

•05 
.08 



.04 

.oo>^ 

.05 
• 03 
.15 
.04 

.01 



03 
,03 

,05 

,02 

, 10 



.07 
.04 

.02 

.04 
,08 
,03 

,02 
■05 
. 20 

.02 
.01 
.15 



124 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Medicines, drugs, and apothecarys' 
sundries— Continued. 

iriedicinal barks 

Chalk, fuller's earth or pipe clay. 

All kinds of glass bottles and 
vessels for chemists and drug- 
gists 

Artificial teeth and gums and 
dentists' rubber 

Perfumed and medicinal essences . 

Sponges of all kinds 

Glycerine 

Gum arable and shellac , 

Bitters 

Lint 

Soap and medicinal sirups 

Syringes, siphons, and any other 
article of India rubber or gutta- 
percha 

Syringes and similar articles of 
metal, except gold and silver. . 

Syringes and other similar articles 
of glass 

Linseed or flaxseed in the grain 
or ground 

Cocoa butter 

Fat for ointments and pomades. . 

Medicines and drugs, in paste, 
powder, liquid, gum, or any 
other form, prepared in any 
manner not otherwise speci- 
fied 

Mustard in seed or ground.... . 

Artificial eyes , 

Oxide of zinc 

Filtering paper 

Rosin 

Pill tiles and other metal instru- 
ments for chemists and drug- 
gists 

Epsom salts (sulphate of mag- 
nesia) and Glauber's salts (sul- 
phate of soda) 

Sal ammoniac (hydrochlorate of 
ammoniac) 

Saltpeter, or nitrate of potash. . . 

Medicinal seeds 

Persian sherbet 

Caustic soda 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
. II 
.014 



.037 

.368 

.736 

•736 

.059 

. II 

.132 

. II 
. II 



, 221 
,074 



.037 

,022 
, II 

.037 



, II 

.059 
,147 

,029 
.037 
.014 



.014 

■037 
.022 

. II 

.037 
,014 



Artfculos. 



Medicinas, drogas y utiles de boti- 
cas y droguerias — Continda. 

Cortezas medicinales 

Creta, greda 6 tiza 

Cristaleria en vasos ii objetos de 
toda clase para boticas y dro- 
guerias 

Dientes y paladares artificiales 
y gomas dentales 

Esencias de olory medicinales. . 

Esponjas de toda clase 

Glicerina 

Goma ardbiga y goma laca 

Gotas amargas 6 amargo esto- 
macal 

Hilas para cirujia 

Jabones y jarabes medicinales. . 

Jeringas, chupones y cualquier 
otro articulo decaucho6guta- 
percha 

Jeringas y articulos semejantes 
de cualquier metal, no siendo 
de oro ni plata 

Jeringasy cualquier otro articulo 
semejante de cristal 

Linazao semillas delino engrano 
6 molidas 

Manteca de cacao 

Manteca para ungiientos 6 po- 
madas 

Medicinas y drogas en pasta, 
polvo, liquido, goma 6 cual- 
quiera otra forma, preparadas 
de cualquier manera de las no 
especificadas 

Mostaza en grano 6 molida. . . . , 

Ojos artificialesdecualquierma- 
teria 

Oxido de zinc 

Papel para filtrar 

Pez resina 

Pildorerosydemdsinstrumentos 
raetalicos para boticas y dro- 
guerias 

Sal de Epson (de Inglaterra 6 
sulfato de magnesia) y sal de 
Glauber (sulfato de soda). . . 

Sal amoniaco, clorhidrato 6 hi- 
droclorato de amoniaco 

Salitre, sal de nitro, 6 nitrato de 
potasa 

Semillas medicinales 

Sherbet persian 

Soda caustica. , . , ,.,(..... 



I 



NICARAGUA. 



125 



Articles. 



Medicines, drugs, and apothecarys' 
sundries — Continued. 



Sulphate of iron 

Sulphate of zinc, or white vitriol. . 

Sulphate of copper or blue stone. 

Sulphate of quinine 

Sulphite of soda 

Suspensories, waistbands, band- 
ages, and similar articles 

Sticking plasters, cerecloths, etc. . 

Tinctures, medicinal or jjiot 

Turpentine 

Utensils for chemists and drug- 
gists, of china, stone, or compo- 
sition, such as mortars, evapo- 
rators, etc 

Vaseline, cosmoline, and petro- 
late 

Poisons for skins, insects, etc . . . . 

Medicinal wines, such as quinine, 
beef, etc 

Bristol's sarsaparilla and other 
similar patented articles 



Miscellaneous articles. 

Glass beads and bugles of all 

kinds. ... 

Fans of paper, cardboard, or palm 

Fans, with framework of bone, 
ivory, mother-of-pearl shell, 
wood, tortoise shell, with or 
without feathers, plain or em- 
broidered 

Mineral oils, such as camphene, 
petroleum or naphtha ..... 

Perfumery oils 

Crochet needles of bone or any 
other material 

Alabaster, marble, and si m i 1 a r 
stones manufactured into arti- 
cles of any kind and for any 
use, weighing over 5 pounds 
each 

Alabaster, etc., weighing less 
than 5 pounds , , . , , 



Albums with binding of card - 
board, leather or India rubber. 

Albums with binding of ivbry, 
tortoise shell, or velvet 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
.007 
. 014 
.022 
. 221 
.037 

.147 

.184 
. II 
.074 



.074 
.074 



, II 
059 



221 

, i«4 



.736 

,007 
.074 

, 184 



,007 
, II 



221 
368 



Artfculos. 



Medicinas, drogas y iitiles de boti- 
cas y droguerias — Continua. 



Sulfato de hierro 

Sulfato de zinc 6 vitriolo bianco . 

Sulfato de cobre 6 piedra lipis . . 

Sulfato de quinina 

Sulfito de soda 

Suspensorios, fajas, ligas, y arti- 
culos semejantes 

Tafetan, espadrapo, apositos, etc, 

Tinturas, sean 6 no medicinales, 

Trementina 

Utiles paraboticasy droguerias, 
deloza, piedra 6 composicion, 
como morteros, evaporadores, 
etc 

Vaselina, cosmolina y petrolato 



Venenos para pieles, hormigas, 
moscas, etc 

Vinos medicinales de quina, 
carne, etc 

Zarzaparrilla de Bristol y otras 
semejantes de patente 



Articulos varies. 

Abalorios y canutillos de toda 
clase 

Abanicos de papel, carton 6 
palma 

Abanicos con armaz6n dehueso, 
marfil, concha nacar, madera, 
carey, con 6 sin plumas, lisos 
6 bordados 



Aceites minerales, como canfin, 
petroleo 6 nafta 

Aceites de olor 

Agujas de hueso 6 cualquiera 
otra materia para crochet. . . . 

Alabastro, marmol y piedras 
semejantes, en obras de cual- 
quiera clase y forma y para 
cualquier uso, de mas de 5 
libras 

Alabastro, marmol y piedras 
semejantes, en obras de cual- 
quiera clase y forma y para 
cualquier uso, de menos de 
5 libras 

Albums con forro de carton, 
piel 6 caucho 

Albums con forro de marfil, 
carey, nacar 6 terciopelo 



Derechos 
por libra. 



Pesos. 
.01 

.02 
.03 
.30 
•05 



.20 
.25 
.15 
.10 



.30 

.25 



126 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Miscellaneous articles — Continued. 
Alcohol 

Saddlebags, hammocks, and sim- 
ilar articles of sisal grass, agave, 
osier, or other like fiber 

Jewels of all kinds, imitation of 
coral, pearl, jet, etc., of any ma- 
terial 

Starch or feculse for industrial 
purposes 

Pillows and mattresses of wool, 
horsehair, or straw 

Feather mattresses and pillows. . 

Tar, pitch, and lampblack 

Manufactures of amber 

Anilines and carmine 

Eyeglasses, spectacles, binocular 
glasses, telescopes, and lenses, 
mounted in gold or silver 

Eyeglasses, etc., not mounted in 
gold or silver 

Electrical apparatus for tele- 
graphs and telephones 

Chandeliers of glass or crystal. . 

Frames for umbrellas and para- 
sols 

Harness for coaches, carriages, 
berlins, and calashes 

Harness for carts 

Articles of sadlery not otherwise 
specified 

Stationery articles, not specified, 
not of gold or silver 

Razor and knife strops 

Jet manufactures 

Dressed sheepskins 

Buckets, molds and tubs of 

wood 

India-rubbercushions for billiard 

tables 

Playing cards 

Whalebone, manufactured and 

for any use 

Varnish of all kinds 

Barometers, thermometers, and 

similar articles. ,,,,,,,%,,,,>- 



Duty rcr 
pound. 



Dollars. 

Prohib. 
ited. 



.037 



.442 

.022 

.074 
.184 
.014 
.589 

, 221 

2. 208 
•736 

Prohib- 
ited. 
.059 

.096 

,147 
.074 

. 221 

.074 
. 096 

.589 

. II 

.014 

.294 
• 059 

.294 
.059 

.184 



Arttculos. 



Articulos varies — Continfia. 
Alcohol 



Alforjas, hamacas y objctos 
semejantes, de cabulla pita, 
mimbre, \\ otras fibras pareci- 
das 

Alhajas de toda clase, imitaci6n 
de coral, perla,azabache, etc., 
de cualquier materia 

Almidon 6 feculas de uso indus- 
trial 

Almohadas y colchonesdelana, 
crin 6 paja 

Almohadasy colchonesdepluma 

Alquitran, brea y negro humo. . . 

Ambar en objetos manufactura- 
dos 

Anilinas y carmin . 

Anteojos, espejuelos, gemelos 6 
binoculos, catalejos 3'^ lentcs, 
que tengan oro 6 plata 

Anteojos, espejuelos, gemelos 6 
binoculos, catalejos y lentes, 
que no tengan guarnicion dc 
oro 6 plata 

Aparatos electricos para tele- 
grafos y telefonos 

Arailas )' candelabros de crista! 
6 vidrio 

Armaduras para paraguasy qui- 
tasoles 

Arneses para coches, carruajes, 
berlinas y calesas 

Arneses para carretonesytrillos 

Articulos de talabarteria no es- 
pecificados 

Articulos de escritorio no es- 
pecificados y que no sean de 
oro 6 plata 

Asentadores 6 suavizadores de 
navajas de cualquiera clase. . 

Azabache en articulos manufac- 
turados 

Badanas 

Baldes, moldes y tinas de ma- 
dera 

Bandas de caucho para billar. . . 

Barajas 6 naipes 

Barbas de ballena manufactura- 
das para cualquier uso 

Barnices de toda clase 

Barometros, term6metros y arti- 
culos semejantes ,.,......., 1 



NICARAGUA. 



127 



Articles. 



Miscellaneous articles — Continued. 

Barrels, casics, and hogsheads, 
hooped or in shooks , 

Earthenware, glazed or unglazed, 
in common articles of any kind 
not specified 

Earthenware figures, busts, and 
similar articles 

Canes (without swords), thongs, 
and whips of any kind 

Canes with sword or dagger. . . . , 

Canes with ivory or metal tops. . . 

Trunks of wood, iron, tin, brass, 
covered or not , 

Trunks, portmanteaus, and valises 
of leather or hide 

Trunks,etc,,of cloth or cardboard. 



Calfskins 

Blacking for shoes, harness, etc . 

Billiard table and accessories, not 
specified 

Balls of ivory, markers, and simi- 
lar articles of the same mate- 
rial, for billiard games, etc. . . . , 

Marbles of all kinds for children's 
toys , 



Cigar holders and smoking pipes 
of amber, meerschaum, porce- 
lain, or any other similar mate- 
rial 

Cigar holders, etc., of wood, clay, 
or similar material 



Common boots and shoes 

Glass bottles and demijohns, 

empty , 

Buttons covered with silk or wool 
Buttons, linen or cotton , 



Buttons of bone, wood, china, 
horn, metal, and other materials 
not specified 

Buttons of mother-of-pearl, tor- 
toise shell, or ivory, and India 
rubber 

Paint brushes of all kinds 

Satchels and portfolios of any ma- 
terial 

Human and artificial hair, worked 

Cables and ropes of hemp, sisal, 
manilla and other similar fibers, 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
.007 

.007 

.059 

. 221 

•552 

I. 104 



,074 

, 221 
,147 

,199 
,022 



.736 

,014 

,368 
,184 

,221 
,007 
i 221 



.368 
,147 

.147 
.368 



.029 



Artfculos. 



Articulos varies — Continiia. 

Barriles, pipas y bocoyes, arma- 
dos 6 sin armar 

Barro vidriado 6 sin vidriar en 
articulos ordinarios de toda 
clase no especificados 

Barro en figuras, bustos y arti- 
culos semejantes 

Bastones sin estoque, Idtigos y 
fuetes de toda clase 

Bastones con estoque 6 daga . . . 

Bastones finos con pufio de 
marfil 6 metal 

Baules de madera, hierro, lata 
6 laton, forrados 6 no 

Baules, maletasybalijasdecuero 
6 pieles 

Baules, maletasy balijas de tela 
6 cart6n 

Becerros 

Betun para calzado, arneses, etc. 

Billares y sus titiles no especifi- 
cados 

Bolas de marfil, fichas y objetos 
semejantes dela misma mate- 
ria, para juegos de billar, etc . . 

Bolas de piedra, marmol, cris- 
tal, barro, etc., para juegos de 
ninos 

Boquillas y pipas parafumar, de 
ambar, espuma, porcelana, 6 
cualquiera otra materia seme- 
jante ..... 

Boquillas 6 pipas para fumar, 
de madera, barro, 6 cualquiera 
otra materia semejante 

Botas ordinarias y zapatones. . . . 

Botellas y garrafones de vidrio, 
vacios 

Botones forrados en seda 6 lana 

Botones forrados en lino 6 algo- 
dori 

Botones de hueso, madera, loza, 
corozo, cuerno, meta! y otros 
no especificados 

Botones de nacar, carey, marfil 
y caucho 

Brochas y pinceles 

Bultos y portafolios de cualquier 

materia 

Cabello humano manufacturado 

y sus imitaciones 

Cable 6 jarcia de cabulla, manila, 

si3al, {1 otra fibra semejante. . . 



Derechos 
por libra. 



128 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Miscellaneous articles — Continued. 

Wooden or cardboard boxes for 
packing 

Fancy boxes, empty 

Paint boxes 

Boots and shoes for men and boys 
not otherwise specified 

Boots and shoes for women and 
girls 

Boots and shoes, silk, for women 
and girls 

Boots and shoes, India rubber. . 

Camera obscura for drawings or 
photographs and other similar 
apparatus 

Baskets, large and small, and oth- 
er articles of willow and cane. 

Manufactures of tortoise shell 
of any kind not mentioned. . . 

Masks of all kinds 

Pocketbooks, cigar cases, purses, 
match boxes, cardcases, and 
other similar articles not 
mounted in gold or silver 

Papier-mache in articles of all 
kinds, painted, lacquered, var- 
nished, or gilded 

Cardboard, fine, or bristol board, 

for visiting cards 

Cardboard, common 

Trucks, carts, and wheelbarrows. 
Hand bags for travelers 

Carriages, coaches, berlins, and 
calashes 

India rubber in cotton stuffs, as 
shoes, capes, covers, boots, and 
other similar articles 

India rubber manufactured in any 
article not specially mentioned 

India rubber in woolen fabrics, 
such as capes, etc 

India rubber in silk fabrics, as 
capes, etc 

Brushes, floor, animal, or shoe . . 

Brushes, tooth, nail, hair, clothes, 
etc 

White wax, pure or mixed, un- 
manufactured 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 

. 014 

.147 
.074 



.294 

..368 

•515 
.184 



,147 

736 



.037 
. 014 

•037 

.184 



• 074 
. 184 

.294 

.257 

.368 
.074 

.147 
.II 



Arttculos. 



Articulos varies — Ccntinfia. 

Cajas dc madera 6 carton para 
cmpaques 

Cajas vacias de fantasia 6 delujo 

Cajitas de pintura 

Calzado para hombres y ninos, 
no especificados 

Calzado para mujeres y ninas . . 

Calzado de seda para mujeres y 

nifias 

Calzado de caucho 

Cimaras oscuras para dibujos 6 
fotografias y demds aparatos 
semejantes 

Canastos, canastillos y otras 
piezas de mimbre 6 junco. . . . 

Carey en obras de toda clase no 
especificadas 

Caretas 6 mascaras de toda 
clase 

Carteras.cigarreras, porta-monc- 
das, fosforeras, tarjeteras ydc- 
mds articulos semejantes que 
no tengan oro ni plata 

Carton-piedra 6 papier-mache en 
articulos de toda clase, pin- 
tado, charolado, barnizado 6 
dorado 

Carton fino 6 cartulina para tar- 
jetas, etc 

Cart6n ordinario 

Carretones, carretas y carretillas. 

Carrieles 6 bolsas de mano para 
viajeros 

Carruajes, coches, berlinasy ca- 
lesas 

Caucho en tela de algodon, 
como zapatos, capas, cubier- 
tas, botas y demas articulos 
semejantes 

Caucho manufacturado en obras 
de toda clase no especificadas. 

Caucho en tela de lana, como 
capas, etc 

Caucho en tela de seda, como 
capas, etc 

Cepillos paralimpiar pisos, bes- 
tias 6 calzado 

Cepillos para dientes, unas, ca- 
bellos, ropa fi otros usos seme- 
jantes 

Cera blanca pura 6 mezclada, 
sin labrar. 



NICARAGUA. 



129 



Articles. 



Miscellaneous articles— Continued. 
Wax, etc., in candles 

Wax, etc., manufactured in arti- 
cles not mentioned , 

Horsehair, crude , 

Beer i , 

Patent leather 

Epaulets, tassels, and cords of 

imitation gold and silver , 

Slippers in parts or made , 

Saddle girths of all kinds 

Children's carriages of all kinds 

Glues of any material 

Colors of all kinds not specified, 
in powder, paste, or oil 

Colors ready mixed 

Mother-of-pearl shell manufac- 
tured in articles of all kinds, 
not specified 

Coral, manufactured 

Coral, mounted with gold or silver 



Cork, manufactured 

Cork, unmanufactured 

Funeral wreaths and ornaments. 

Shoe uppers of lasting, plain and 

without tips 

Shoe uppers of lasting, plain and 

with tips 

Shoe uppers of lasting, fancy, or 

patent leathered 

Shoe uppers of calf or any other 

skin 

Shoe uppers of patent leather. . . 
Shoe uppers of enameled hide . . 

Shoe uppers of silk 

Workboxes or toilet cases for 

ladies 

Crinolines, dress improvers, and 

similar articles 

Glass, common, in sheets, plain 

and clear 

plass, in sheets, ground, white, 

or colored, plain or fancy t . . . 



Duty per 

pound. 



Dollars. 
.147 



. 029 
.014 
.331 

I. 104 
. 221 
.074 
■059 

.044 



,029 



.368 
1.84 

3.68 



,074 

,014 
.368 



,294 

.331 
.368 
294 
294 
.515 
,184 
, 184 
014 
,039 



Artfculos. 



Articidos varios — Contin<ia. 

Cera blanca pura 6 mezclada, 
en velas 

Cera blanca pura 6 mezclada, 
manufacturadaen articulos no 
especificados 

Cerda 6 crin en bruto 

Cerveza 

Charoles 

Charreteras, borlas y cordones 
de oro 6 platafalsos 

Chinelas encortes otrabajadas. 

Cinchas de toda clase 

Cochecitos de toda clase para 
ninos 

Cola para pega, de cualquier 
materia 

Colores de toda clase no espe- 
cificados, en polvo, pasta 6 
aceite 

Colores de toda clase, en tintiras 

Concha nacar manufacturadaen 
articulos de toda clase, no es- 
pecificados 

Coral manufacturado en articu- 
los de toda clase 

Coral manufacturado en articu- 
los de toda clase, montados 
en oro 6 plata 

Corcho en obras para cualquier 
uso 

Corcho en bruto 

Coronas funebres y adornos 
funerarios 

Cortes para calzado, de sarga, 
lisos y sin punteras 

Cortes para calzado, de sarga, 
lisos 3' con punteras. 

Cortes para calzado, de sarga, 
adornados 6 con pie de charol 

Cortes para calzado, de becerro 
6 cualquiera otra piel 

Cortes para calzado, de charol. 

Cortes para calzado, de vaqueta 
charolada 

Cortes para calzado, de seda. . . 

Costureros 6 neceseres para mu- 
jeres 

Crinolinas, zagalejos y articulos 
semejantes 

Cristal 6 vidrio ordinario en plie- 
gos claros y lisos 

Cristal 6 vidrio, en pliegos, api- 
zarrado 6 de color, liso 6 la- 



Derechoa 

per libra. 



Pesos. 



.25 
.04 
.02 
•45 

1.50 
.30 
. 10 

.08 

.06 



,04 

•15 



.50 
2.50 

5.00 

. 10 

.02 

.50 

.40 

• 45 

.50 

.40 
.60 

.40 
.70 

.25 

•25 

.02 



,04 



130 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 



Miscellaneous articles — Continued. 

Glass, manufactured in articles 
of any kind and for any use not 
specified 



Frames for mirrors and engrav- 
ings, with or without glass. . . . 

Collars and cuffs, paper 

CoUars and cuffs, celluloid 

Beads of all kinds, imitation gold, 
pearl, coral, jet, etc., either of 
glass, porcelain, or any other 
similar material 



Strings of all kinds for musical 
instruments 

Horn, manufactured, not speci- 
fied. 



Diamonds, uncut or cut 

Diamonds, mounted for cutting 
glass 

Staves and hoops of wood 

Cotton elastic web for shoes or 
garters 

Silk elastic web for shoes or gar- 
ters 

Woolen elastic for shoes or gar- 
ters 

Oilcloth or canvas for packing. . 

Brooms of all kinds made of veg- 
etable fibers 

Brooms of bristles 

Sculptures, statues, or figures of 
any material not specified 



Duty per 
pound. 



Emery, in stone or powder 

Looking-glasses of all kinds.with 
or without frames 

Prints, on paper or cardboard, 
with or without frames 

Prints, on cloth, with or without 
frames 

Matting, mats, and palm mats. . . . 

Stereoscopes, cosmoramas, diora- 
mas, magic lanterns, and other 
similar apparatus , 

Caskets or dressing cases 

Labels, plain or printed 



Dollars. 



037 



Waistbands and belts of dressed 
cowhide or any other leather, 
for men or women , # , . . 



II 

074 
441 



. 221 

.368 

. 221 

18. 40 

.368 
.007 

.228 

• 493 

•331 

• 037 

.022 
.074 

.074 

.022 

.074 

.074 

.147 
. 014 



Artfculos. 



.147 
,184 

.059 



Artlculos varios — Continfia. 

Crista! 6 vidrio manufacturado 
en articulos de cualquier clase, 
y para cualquier uso no es- 
pecificado 

Cuadros para espejos 6 estam- 
pas, con 6 sin vidrio 

Cuellos y punos de papel 

Cuellos y puiios de celuloide. . . 

Cuentas de toda clase, imitacion 
de oro, perlas, coral, aza- 
bache, etc., sean de vidrio, 
porcelana 6 cualquiera otra 
materia semejante 

Cuerdas para instrumentos de 
mfisica de toda clase 

Cuerno manufacturado en arti- 
culos de cualquiera clase no 
especificados , 

Diamantes en bruto 6 tallados . . 

Diamantes montados para cortar 
vidrios 

Duelas, aros 6 flejes de madera. 

EMstico de algodon para calzado 
6 ligas 

Eldstico de seda para calzado 6 
ligas 

ElAstico de lana para calzado 6 
ligas 

Encerados comunes para enfar- 
dar 

Escobasdetodaclase, demateria 
vegetal 

Escobas de toda clase, de cerda 

Esculturas, estdtuas 6 imagenes 
de cualquier materia, no es- 
pecificada 

Esmeril en piedra 6 polvo 

Espejos de toda clase y en toda 
forma, con 6 sin marco 

Estampas en papel 6 carton, con 
6 sin marco 

Estampas en lienzo, con 6 sin 
marco 

Estera, esterilla y petates 

Estereoscopios, cosmoramas, di- 
oramas, linternas mdgicas y 
demls aparatos semejantes . . 

Estuches 6 neceseres 

Etiquetas en bianco 6 con r6tu- 
los 

Fajas de vaqueta 6 cualquier 
otro cuero, para hombres 6 
mujcres. , , .,,,,,..... 



NICARAGUA. 



131 



Articles. 



Miscellaneous articles— Continued. 
Lanterns and lamps, glass 

Lanterns, paper 

Water filters of any material 

Artificial flowers and fruit of any 
kind, set, or in sprays or 
bunches 

Flower stands or pots of glass, 
chinaware, or imitation porce- 
lain 

Matches of all kinds 

Photographs of any kind, with or 
without frame '. 

Fireworks and pyrotechnic com- 
positions of all kinds 

Bellows of all kinds 

Percussion caps for firearms . . . . 

Saddletrees or frames 

Galloons, beads, fringes, and em- 
broidery of imitation of gold 
and silver 

Wash leather 

Caps of all kinds made of cloth. . 

Cochineal 

Grease not mentioned 

Gloves of any material not speci- 
fied : 

Kid gloves 

Hydrometers 

Lasts and molds of all kinds . . . . 

Manufacturesof boneof all kinds, 
in articles not specified 

Incense of any kind 

Musical instruments with key- 
board, such as pianos, harmo- 
niums, organs, etc 

Musical instruments with handle. 

Musical instruments, stringed, 
such as guitars, violins, etc. . . . 

Musical instruments, wind, such 
as flutes, cornets, clarinets, etc. 

Musical instruments, such as 
harpsichords, accordions, 
mouth organs, jews' harps, and 
other similar toys , . , 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
•037 



. 014 
. 014 



331 



■037 
,029 

, 184 

, II 

.074 
.147 

,029 



I. 104 
.147 

.589 

. 184 
•037 



. 184 
. 007 

. 221 

. II 



.074 
.147 



147 



,074 



Artfculos. 



Articulos varies — Continfia. 

Fanales, faroles y linternas de 
vidrio 6 cristal 

Faroles y linternas de papel . . . 

Filtros de cualquier materia para 
agua 

Flores y frutas artificiales de 
cualquier materia, arreglados 
6 en piezas 

Floreros de cristal, china 6 imi- 
tacion de porcelana , 

F6sforos de toda clase , 

Fotografias de toda clase con 6 

sin marco , 

Fuegos artificiales 6 mixtos pi- 

rotecnicos de toda clase 

Fuelles de toda clase 

Fulminantes 6 pistones para ar- 

mas de fuego 

Fustes 6 armazones para mon- 

turas 

Galones, flecos y gusanillos de 

oro 6 plata falsos 

Gamusas 

Gorras, kepis 6 cachuchas de 
pane 

Grana 6 cochinilla , 

Grasas no especificadas 

Guantes de cualquier materia, 
no especificados 

Guantes de cabritilla 

Hidr6metros 

Hormas de toda clase 

Hueso manufacturado de toda 
clase, en obras no especifica- 
das , 

Incienso de toda clase 

Instrumentos de mfisica de tecla- 
do, como pianos, armonios, 
organos, etc 

Instrumentos de mfisica de ci- 
giiena 

Instrumentos de mfisica de cu- 
erda, como guitarras, violines, 
etc 

Instrumentos demfisicade vien- 
to, como flautas, pistones, 
clarinetes, etc 

Instrumentos de mfisica, como 
dulzainas, acordiones, orga- 
nillos de boca, y otros seme- 
jantes para juguetes 



Derechos 
por libra. 



132 



NICARAGUA. 



Articfes. 



Miscellaneous articles — Continued. 

Musical instruments for bands, 
such as kettledrums, drums, 
cymbals, triangles, and other 
similar instruments 

Soap, common 

Soap, fine toilet, perfumed , 

Cordage of hemp, manilla or sisal , 

Sets for chess, sheckers, domi- 
noes, roulette, lotto, and simi- 
lar games 

Children's toys of all kinds, ex- 
cept those made of India rubber. 

India-rubber toys for children . . . 

Cane, unmanufactured or manu- 
factured , 

Sealing wax of all kinds ....... 

Bricks of any kind and material, 
not specified 

Lamps of all kinds, not specified 

Pencils of all kinds 

Pencil cases and penholders, not 
of gold and silver 

Gold and silver leaf, real and im- 
itation, for gilding and silver- 
ing 

Blank books 

Sweet liquors, up to I2° 

Spirits {See articles of special 
duty.) 

Common chinaware 

Chinaware, imitation of porce- 
lain, in articles of any kind not 
specified 

Hops 

Manufactures of wood not speci- 
fied 

Wood not manufactured 

Ivory manufactures of all kinds, 
not specified 

Marble dust 

Measures of leather, cloth, or 
metal for the arts and trades, 
covered or not 

Measures of wood or metal, foot 
rules 

Metronomes 

Molasses and honey 

Wooden moldings, painted, en- 
ameled, gilt, or silvered 

p^indstppes ^nd iione^, ^U kinds 



Duty per 

pound. 



Dollars. 



.074 
,014 
.074 
,029 



, 184 

, II 
, 221 

.059 
, II 

.007 

.074 

. II 
. II 



.736 
.051 

.037 



,014 



,029 
.022 

.022 
,007 

■736 
,007 



,147 

,047 
.096 
,022 

, II 

,022 



Artfculos, 



Articulos varioB — Continfta. 

Instrumentos para banda, como 
timbales, tambores, platillos, 
tridngulos, y otros semejantes. 

Jab6n ordinario 

Jabon finoperfumadode tocador 

Jarcia de cabulla, manila 6 sisal . 

Juegos de ajedrez, damas, do- 
mind, ruleta, loteria, y otros 
semejantes 

Juguetes de toda clase para ni- 
fios, no siendo de caucho. .... 

Juguetes de caucho para niiios. 

Junco sin manufacturar 6 ma- 
nufacturado 

Lacre de toda clase 

Ladrillosde toda clase y materia, 
no especificados 

Ldmparas de toda clase, noespe- 
cificadas 

Ldpices de toda clase 

Lapiceros y mangos para plu- 
mas, no siendo de oro ni plata 

Libros con hojillas de oro 6 pla- 
ta, finos 6 falsos para dorar 6 
platear 

Libros y cuadernos en bianco. . 

Licores dulces 6 mistelas hasta 
de 12° 

Licores fuertes. ( V^ase articu- 
los de derecho especial.) 

Loza de china ordinaria 

Loza de china, imitaci6n de por- 
celana, en articulos de toda 
clase, no especificadas 

Lfipulo 

Madera manufacturada en cual- 
quiera forma, no especificada 

Madera no manufacturada 

Marfil en obras de toda clase, no 
especificadas 

Marmol en polvo 

Medidas decuero, genero 6 me- 
tal para artes y oficios, forra- 
das 6 no 

Medidas de madera 6 metal, 
como pulgarios 

Metronomes y metr6metros . . . 

Miel de azficar 6 de abejas .... 

Molduras 6 reglas de madera, 
pintadas, charoladas. doradas 
6 plateadas 

Molejones y piedras de afilar de 
toda clase . . . . 1 « t f « . n • • 1 « . . • 



NICARAGUA. 



133 



Articles. 



Miscellaneous articles — Continued, 

Saddles of all kinds 

Furniture of wood, such as chairs, 
lounging chairs, sofas, etc., 
with upholstering of every 
kind 

Furniture of wood, such as beds, 
wardrobes, dressing tables, bu- 
reaus, tables, and any other 
similar pieces not specified. . . 

Levels of all kinds 

Wafers of all kinds 

Ochre and other earths, for paint 

Tinsel 

Paper and cardboard, common, 
for wrapping, and brown pa- 
per, including paper bags, etc 

Papers of all kinds not specified, 
including blotting paper 

Wall paperand ornamental paper 

Paper and cardboard, enameled, 
silver, or gilt 

Sand paper 

Umbrellas and parasols, cotton . 

Umbrellas and parasols, wool . . 
Umbrellas and parasols, silk . . . 
Wooden rulers 

Combs of horn and bone 

Combs of rubber, gutta-percha, 

or celluloid 

Combs of ivory or tortoise shell. 

Combs of materials not specified. 

Perfumery and scents of all 
kinds, such as oils, soaps, pow- 
ders, etc 

Parchment and its imitations ... 

Pearls, real, not set 

Venetian and other wooden 
blinds 

Flints 

Skins, manufactured or not, and 
not mentioned 

Paint of any kind not specified in 
powder, paste or oil 

Pistol holsters of all kinds 

Slates, with or without frames, 
aad slate pencils 



Duty per 
pound. 



Dollars. 
.147 



037 



.059 
.037 
, II 
.029 
.368 



, 014 
.029 



,118 
.037 



, 184 
.368 
,074 

, 221 



,368 
736 

294 



.074 
. II 
3.68 

•037 
. 014 

. 221 

.029 

.147 
.007 



Artfculos. 



Articulos varios — Continfia. 

Monturas de toda clase 

Muebles demadera, como silas, 
silletas butacas, sofds, etc., 
con tapiceria de cualquier 
clase 

Muebles de madera, como ca- 
mas, roperos, tocadores, c6- 
modas, mesas y otros seme- 
jantes no especificados 

Niveles de toda clase 

Obleas de toda clase 

Ocre y otras tierras para pintar. 

Oropel 

Papel y cart6n ordinario para 
envolver y de estraza, inclu- 
sive sacos de papel 6 cart6n . 

Papel de toda clase no especifi- 
cado, inclusive secante 

Papel para entapizar y adornar. 

Papel y cart6n, esmaltado, pla- 
teado 6 dorado 

Papel de lija 

Paraguas y sombrillas de algo- 
don 

Paraguas y sombrillas de lana . 

Paraguas y sombrillas de seda. . 

Pautas y reglas de madera para 
rayar 

Peines y peinetas de cuerno 6 
hueso 

Peines y peinetas de caucho, 
gutapercha, 6 celuloide 

Peines y peinetas de marfil 6 
carey 

Peines y peinetas de materias no 
enumeradas 

Perfumeria y olores de toda 
clase, como aceites, jabones, 
polvos, etc 

Pergamino y sus imitaciones. . . 

Perlas finas sin montar 

Persianas, celosias 6 venecianas 
de madera 

Piedras de chispa 

Pieles manufacturadas 6 no, y 
no especificadas 

Pintura de toda clase, no espe- 
cificada, en polvo, pasta 6 
aceite , 

Pistoleras de toda clase 

Pizarras con 6 sin marco y piza- 
rrines 



Derechos 
por libra. 



Pesos. 



134 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 


Duty per 
pound. 


Artlculos. 


Derechos 
por libra. 


Miscellaneous articles— Continued. 

Tablets of porcelain, cardboard, 
or glaLis, for writing upon with 
pencils 


Dollars. 

.037 
.147 

.588 
.368 

•294 
Prohib- 
ited. 
.441 

. 184 
.037 

.074 
.014 

.037 

.147 

1. 104 

.294 

.368 

•441 

. no 
Prohib- 
ited. 

.441 
• 294 
.147 

.074 
.184 

.014 

.074 
.037 
.059 

.037 


Articulos varies— Continfia. 

Pizarras de porcelana, cart6n 6 
vidrio para escribir con Idpiz. . 

Plumas de ave para escribir 

Plumas y plumeros para ador- 
nos 


Pesos. 
.05 


Quill pens 


.20 


Feathers and plumes for trim- 


.80 


Feather dusters, for furniture. . . . 
Gunpowder for mining purposes, 
by special permission of Gov- 


Plumeros para limpiar muebles. 

P61vora para minas, con permiso 

especial del Gobierno 


.40 


Gunpowder of other kinds 

Patent-leather tips for shoes 

Portraits in oil or crayon, with or 


Pr6hi- 


Punteras de charol para calzado. 

Retratos al oleo 6 al crayon, con 

marco 6 sin el 


bida. 
.60 

. 2"; 


Wheels for trucks, carts, and 


Ruedas de radios para carreto- 
nes, carretas y carretillas 

Ruedas de radios para carruajes, 
coches y calesas 


.05 


Wheels for carriages, coaches. 


. 10 




Sebo en bruto 


.02 




Sebo en velas 


.05 


Panama straw hats 


Sellos y timbres de toda clase. . . 

Sombreros de pita 6 de Jipijapa. 

Sombreros de paja 6 palma sin 
aiornar para hombres, mu- 
jetes y ninos 


.20 
I. 50 


ming, for men, women, and 


.4c 


Hats, of felt, wool, velvet, silk, 
men and boys 


Sombreros de fieltro, lana, tercio- 
pelo, felpa, nutria 6 cualquier 
otra materia para hombres 6 
ninos 






. «;o 


Hats or bonnets of plush, felt, 
wool, palm, or straw, or any 
other material, trimmed, for 
girls or women 


Sombreros 6 gorras de felpa, fiel- 
tro, vicuna, palma 6 paja, 6 
cualquiera otra materia, ador- 
nados para mujeres y ninos. . . 

Suela 6 vaqueta para calzado y 
otros usos 


.60 


Sole leather for shoes and other 


• 15 


Tobacco, unmanufactured 

Tobacco, manufactured, by spec- 
ial permission of Government. . 


Tabaco en rama 


Prohi- 


Tabacomanufacturado, con per- 
miso especial del Gobierno. . . 
Tabaco andullo 6 rap6 


bido. 

.6c 

.4c 




Tafiletes 


.2C 


Cloths, painted, varnished or ja- 
panned for floors, tables, and 


Tela pintada, barnizada 6 charo- 
lada, para pisos, mesas y usos 
semej antes 


, IC 




Termometros 


• 25 


Ink of all kinds for writing and 


Tinta de toda clase para escribir 
y marcar 


.02 


Oriental tonic and like articles 


T6nico oriental y articulos seme- 
jantes para el cabello 


. IC 


Firecrackers and Chinese rockets. 


Triquitraques 6 cohetes chinos. . 
Urnas de cristal 


.oS 
.05 


Candles, sperm, paraffine, com- 
position, or stearine 


Velas de esperma, parafina, com- 
posici6n 6 estearina 


.05 



NICARAGUA. 



135 



Articles. 



Miscellaneous articles — Continued. 

Velocipedes of any kind 

Watch glasses 

Wines of all kinds and in any 
package 

Wines, sparkling, such as cham- 
pagne, and the like 

Plaster of Paris, solid or in pow- 
der 

Plaster, manufactured in articles 
of all kinds not specified 

ARTICLES PAYING SPE- 
CIAL DUTY. 

Spirits, foreign, more than 12°, 
up to 25° Carthier per bottle... 

The same, above 25° Carthier (by 
special permission of the Gov- 
ernment), in addition to above 
duty, for every degree in excess 

Gunpowder for mines (by special 
permission of Government). . . 

Tobacco, manufactured (by spe- 
cial permission of Government) 

Plug tobacco and snuflF 



Goods imported at Cape Gracias d 
Dios. 

Foreign merchandise imported at 
Cape Gracias d Dios for con- 
sumption in that district will 
pay a 40 per cent, duty upon 
the value established in the 
present tariff. The following 
articles which will pay the: spec- 
ial duty as set forth, are ex- 
cepted from this provision: 

Spirits, foreign, more than 12° up 
to 25° Carthier, per bottle 



The same, above 25° Carthier, in 
addition to the above duty, for 
every degree in excess 



Duty per 
pound. 



Gunpowder 

Tobacco of any kind. 



Central American Products. 

The natural products and man- 
ufactures imported from any of 



Dollars. 
.074 
■736 

. 022 
.044 
.007 
.022 



294 



294 



,441 
,294 



Artlculos. 



294 



221 
294 



Articiilos varios — Continfia. 



Velocipedos de toda clase 

Vidrios para relojesde bolsillo. , 

Vinos de toda clase y en cual- 
quier envase 

Vinos espumosos, como cham- 
pagne y otros semejantes .... 

Yeso en piedra 6 polvo 



Yeso manufacturado en obras 
de toda clase no especicadas. . 

ARTICULOS DE DERE- 
CHO ESPECIAL. 

Licores fuertes extranjeros de 
mds de 12° y hasta 25° Car- 
thier, la botella 

Licores fuertes extranjeros de 
mas de 25° Carthier (con per- 
miso especial del Gobierno), d 
mas del anterior derecho, por 
cada grado de exceso 

P61vora para minas (con permi- 
so especial del Gobierno). . . . . 

Tabaco labrado (con permiso 
especial del Gobierno) 

Tabaco anduUo 6 rape 



Derechos 
por libra. 



Los importaciones en el Cabo de 
Gracias d Dios. 

Las mercaderias extranjeras que 
se importen al Cabo de Gra- 
cias d Dios para consumo de 
la Comarca pagaran un 40 
porciento de derecho sobre el 
valor que establece lapresente 
tarifa. Exceptfianse de esta 
disposici6n los articulos si- 
guientes que pagarin el dere- 
cho especial que se expresa: 

Licores fuertes extranjeros de 
mds de 12° y hasta 25° Car- 
thier. la botella 

Licores fuertes extranjeros de 
mas de 25° Carthier, a mas del 
anterior derecho, por cada 
grado de exceso 

Polvora 

Tabaco en cualquier a forma y 
clase , 

Los productos del Centro AviMca. 

Los productos naturales y 
manufacturados procedentes de 



Pesos. 
. 10 
I. 00 



136 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles. 


Duty per 
pound. 


Artfculos. 


Derecbes 
por libra. 


Central Amgrican Products — Con- 
tinued. 

the other Central American re- 
publics will pay in all the cus- 
tom-houses of the Republic the 
duty established by their respec- 
tive treaties, calculated on the 
value of the invoice. 


Dollars. 


Los productos del Centra AmMca — 
Continfia. 

las demis repfiblicaC deCentro- 
America pagarin en todas las 
aduanas de la Repiiblica los 
derechos establecidos por los 
tratados respectivos, calcula- 
dos sobre el valor de factura. 


Peso*. 



FREE LIST. 

Fans of paper or cardboard with advertise- 
ments). 

Fertilizers for the soil. 

Stills (by special permission of the Govern- 
ment.) 

Wire, fencing, with or without barbs, 
clamps, posts, clips, and other acces- 
sories, of wire net less than three lines 
in diameter. 

Sledge hammers. 

Animals, live or stuffed. 

Plows, harrows, and rakes for agricul- 
tural purposes. 

Asphalt. 

Winnowing and sorting machines for cof- 
fee and other seeds. 

Mercury for mines. 

Drills for mining purposes. 

Water pumps of metal of any kind. 

Surveyors and nautical compasses. 

Lime and cement. 

Iron tubing, with the cocks or faucets. 

Coal and animal charcoal. 

Crucibles for melting metals. 

Machines for ginning, hulling, and shell- 
ing. 

Dynamite for mines (by special permission 
of Government). 

Buildings and houses of wood or iron. 

Vessels and boats of all kinds, fitted to- 
gether or in parts. 

Passengers' personal baggage, excluding 
eifects which have not been used and 
furniture, which must pay duty accord- 
ing to its class. 

Geographical or astronomical spheres or 

globes. 
Iron water tanks. 
Forgea. 



ARTICULOS LIBRES. 

Abanicos de papel 6 cart6n con avisos. 

Abonos para tierras. 

Alambiques (con permiso especial del 

Gobierno). 
Alambre para cercas, con 6 sin pfias, sus 

grapas, barras, tenazas y demis acce- 

sorios, no siendo el alambre de menos 

de trcs lineas de diimetro. 
Almadanas. 

Animales vivos 6 disecados. 
Arados y peines para agricultura. 

Asfalto. 

Aventadores y clasificadores de caf6 y 
otros granos. 

Azogue para mineria. 

Barrenos para minas. 

Bombas de cualquier metal para sacar 
agua. 

Brftjulas de toda clase para agrimensores 
6 naiiticos. 

Cal y cimentos. 

Canerla de hierro y sus Haves 6 grifones. 

Carbon de piedra y animal. 

Crisoles para fundir metalcs. 

Desmotaderas, descascaradoras y des- 
granadoras. 

Dinamita para minas (con permiso espe- 
cial del Gobierno). 

Edificios 6 casas de madera 6 de hierro. 

Embarcaciones de toda clase, armadas 6 
sin armar. 

Equipajes del uso de los pasajeros, con 
exclusion de los efectos que no hayan 
sido usados y de los muebles, los cuales 
pagar^n segun la clase d que correspon- 
dan. 

Esferas 6 globos celestes y terrestres. 

Estanques de hierro para dep6sito de agua. 

Fraguas. 



NICARAGUA. 



13: 



Free list— Continued. 

Fountains and accessories for parks, gar- 
dens, etc. 
Ice. 

Birds' eggs. 

Printing presses with accessories. 
Astronomical, ph3fsical, cliemical, and 

hydraulic instruments, not specified. 
Horticultural implements. 
Surgical and mathematical instruments. 
Hypodermic syringes. 
Printed books and printed matter. 
Pump hose. 

Geogiaphical maps and charts of any kind. 
Machinery of any kind, for agricultural 

purposes, arts, and trades, and parts of 

such machines. 
Microscopes of all kinds. 
Windmills. 

Steam motors or animal-power machines. 
Samples of goods in pieces and without 

value. 
Church organs. 

Gold in ingots, bars, dust, or coins. 
Potatoes, grains, and other field products 

not specially mentioned. 
Music paper and printed music. 
Printing paper in sheets, not less than 29 

inches by 20 inches. 
Lightning rods. 
Fodder for animals. 
Fire bricks and tiles for smelting furnaces. 

Live plants of any kinds. 

Silver in ingots, bars, or coins. 

Hydraulic presses. 

Tower clocks, including dials and bells. 

Seeds of all kinds for agriculture. 
Galvanized-iron roofing, gutters, ridging, 
clamps, and screws for the same. 

Telescopes. 



ARTICLES PROHIBITED. 

Stills. 

Alcohol. 

Telegraphic and telephonic apparatus of 

all kinds. 
Firearms, precision, such as rifles, etc., 

(are admitted only by special permission 

of the Government). 
Military arms, such as rifles, cannon, etc. 



Articuloa libres— Continfia. 

Fuentes y sus accesorios para parques, 

jaidines, etc. 
Hielo. 

Huevos de aves. 

Imprentas, sus fitiles y accesorios. 
Instrumentos astron6micos, fisicos qui- 

micos 6 hidrdulicos, no especificados. 
Instrumentos de horticultura. 
Instrumentos de cirugia y matemiticas. 
Jeringas hipod6rmicas. 
Libros, cuadernos y papeles impresos. 
Mangueras para bombas. 
Mapas 6 cartas geogrificas de toda clase. 
Maquinaria de toda clase y sus piezas, 

para agricultura, artes y oficios. 

Microscopios de toda clase. 

Molinos de viento. 

Motores de vapor 6 fuerza animal. 

Muestras de mercancias en pedazos y sin 
valor. 

Organos para iglesias. 

Oro en pasta, barras, polvo 6 raoneda. 

Papas, granos y demds cereales no especi- 
ficados. 

Papel rayado para mfisica impresa. 

Papel para peri6dicos en pliegos de 29 x 20 
pulgadas, por lo menos. 

Pararayos. 

Pastos 6 pienso para animales. 

Piedras y ladrillos refractarios para hornos 
de fundicion. 

Plantas vivas de toda clase. 

Plata en pasta, lingotes 6 moneda. 

Prensas hidraulicas. 

Relojes para torres, incluyendo sus mues- 
tras y campanas. 

Semillas de toda clase para cultivo. 

Techos de hierro galvanizado, canales, 
cabelletes, ganchos y tornillos para los 
mismos. 

Telescopios. 



ARTICULOS PROHIBIDOS. 

Alambiques. 

Alcohol. 

Aparatos para tel6grafos y tel6fonos. 

Armas de fuego de precisi6n, como rifles, 
etc., (se permiten s61o con licensia espe- 
cial del Gobierno). 

Armas de fuego para ejercito, como rifles, 
canones, etc. 



138 



NICARAGUA. 



Articles prohibited — Continued. 

Baj'onets. 

Dynamite (admitted for miningr purposes 

only by special Government license). 
Gunpovvder(admitted for mining purposes 

only by special Government license). 
Tobacco in leaf. 
Tobacco, manufactured (only admitted by 

special permission of the Government). 

Articles not enumerated. 

Articles or objects not enumerated in 
this tariff will pay the rate assessed 
on articles most similar to them ; arti- 
cles not enumerated composed of vari- 
ous materials will pay the rate of the 
one predominating; those which can 
not be classified will be assessed 50 
per cent, on the original invoice value, 
exclusive of charges. If there is no 
invoice the value will be ascertained 
by experts. 



Articulos prohibidos— Continfia. 

Bayonetas. 

Dinamita (s61o para minas se permite con 
licencia especial del Gobierno). 

Polvora (solo para minas se permite con 
licencia especial del Gobierno). 

Tabaco en rama. 

Tabaco labrado (se permite s61o con licen- 
cia especial del Gobierno). 

Articulos no enumerado3, 

Los articulos fi objetos no enumerados 
en la presente tarifa, pagaran el dere- 
cho del mds semejante ; los no enu- 
merados y que se compongan de di- 
versas materias, pagardn el derecho 
del de la materia que mis predomine 
en ellos; los no enumerados y que no 
puedan ser clasificados, se liquidaran 
al 50 por ciento sobre el valor de la 
factura original sin gastos. En falta 
de factura original, se procederd 4 va- 
lorarlos por peritos. 



Appendix B. 



RECIPROCAL COMMERCIAL ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE 
UNITED STATES AND NICARAGUA. 

Whereas, pursuant to section 3 of the act of Corgress approved October 1, 
1890, entitled "An act to reduce the revenue and equalize duties on imports, 
and for other purposes," the Secretary of State of the United States of America 
communicated to the Government of Nicaragua the action of the Congress of 
the United States of America, with a view to secure reciprocal trade, in declar- 
ing the articles enumerated in said section 3 to be exempt from duty upon their 
importation into the United States of America; 

And whereas the envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary of Nic~ 
aragua at Washington has communicated to the Secretary of State the fact that, 
in reciprocity for the admission into the United States of America free of all 
duty of the articles enumerated in section 3 of said act, the Government of 
Nicaragua will, by due legal enactment, admit free of all duty, from and after 
April 15, 1892, into all the ports of entry of Nicaragua, the articles of mer- 
chandise named in the following schedule, provided that the same be the product 
of the United States: 

SCHEDULE OF ARTICLES WHICH THE REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA WILL ADMIT FREE OF 

ALL KIND OF DUTY. 

1. Animals, live. 

2. Barley, Indian corn, wheat, oats, rye, and rice. 

3. Seeds of all kinds for agriculture and horticulture. 

4. Live plants of all kinds. 

5. Corn meal. 

6. Starch. 

7. Beans, potatoes, and all other vegetables, fresh or dried. 

8. Fruits, fresh or dried. 

9. Hay, bran, and straw for forage. 

139 



140 NICARAGUA. 

10. Cotton-seed oil and all other products of said seed. 

11. Tar, resin, and turpentine. 

12. Asphalt, crude or manufactured in blocks. 

13. Quicksilver for mining purposes. 

14. Coal, mineral or animal. 

15. Fertilizers for land. 

16. Lime and cement. 

17. Wood and lumber, in the rough, or prepared for building purposes. 

18. Houses of wood or iron. 

19. Marble, in the rough or dressed, for fountains, gravestones, and building 
purposes. 

20. Tools and implements for agricultural and horticultural purposes. 

21. Wagons, carts, and handcarts, 

22. Iron and steel, in rails for railroads and other similar uses, and structural 
iron and steel for bridges and building purposes. 

23. Wire, for fences, with or without barbs, clamps, posts, clips, and other 
accessories, of wire not less than 3 lines in diameter. 

24. Machinery of all kinds for agricultural purposes, arts, and trades, and 
parts of such machinery. 

25. Motors of steam or animal power. 

26. Forges, water pumps of metal, pump hose, sledge hammers, drills for 
mining purposes, iron piping with its keys and* faucets, crucibles for melting 
metals, iron water tanks, and lightning rods. 

27. Roofs of galvanized iron, gutters, ridging, clamps, and screws for the same. 

28. Printing materials. 

29. Books, pamphlets, and other printed matter, and ruled paper for printed 
music, printing paper in sheets not less than 29 by 20 inches. 

30. Geographical maps or charts, and celestial and terrestrial spheres or globes. 

31. Surgical and mathematical instruments. 

32. Stones and fire-bricks for smelting furnaces. 

33. Vessels and boats of all kinds, fitted together or in parts. 

34. Gold and silver in bullion, bars, or coin. 

It is understood that the packages or coverings in which the articles named 
in the foregoing schedule are imported shall be free of duty if they are usual 
and proper for the purpose. 

And that the Government of Nicaragua has further stipulated that the laws 
and regulations, adopted to protect its revenue and prevent fraud in the decla- 
rations and proof that the articles named in the foregoing schedule are the 
product of the United States of America, shall impose no undue restrictions on 
the importer nor additional charges on the articles imported. 



NICARAGUA. I4I 

And whereas the Secretary of State has, by my direction, given assurance to 
the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Nicaragua at Wash- 
ington that this action of the Government of Nicaragua in granting freedom of 
duties to the products of the United States of America on their importation into 
Nicaragua, is accepted as a due reciprocity for the action of Congress as set 
forth in section 3 of said act: 

Now, therefore, be it known that I, Benjamin Harrison, President of the 
United States of America, have caused the above-stated modifications of the 
tariff laws of Nicaragua to be made public for the information of the citizens of 
the United States of America. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the 
United States to be affixed. 

Done at the city of Washington, this 12th day of March, one thousand eight 
hundred and ninety-two, and of the Independence of the United States of 

America the one hundred and sixteenth. 

Benj. Harrison. 
By the President : 
[seal.] William F. Wharton, 

Acting Secretary of State, 



PRECEDING CORRESPONDENCE. 

Mr. Blaine to Sehor Guzman. 

Department of State, 
Washington, January j, i8pi. 

Sir: I have the honor to bring to your attention the fact that the Congress 
of the United States at its last session enacted a law, of which a copy is inclosed 
herewith, in which provision was made for the admission into the United States, 
free of all duty, of the following articles: All sugars not above No. 16 Dutch 
standard in color, molasses, coffee, tea, hides, and skins. 

In section 3 of this law it is declared that these remissions of duty were made 
"with a view to secure reciprocal trade with countries producing" those arti- 
cles ; and it is provided that, whenever the President shall be satisfied that recip- 
rocal favors are not granted to the products of the United States in the coun- 
tries referred to, " he shall have the power and it shall be his duty " to impose 
upon the articles above enumerated, the products of the countries concerned, 
the rates of duty set forth in section 3. 

The Government of the United States, being earnestly desirous of maintain- 
ing with the Republic of Nicaragua such trade relations as shall b? reciprocally 



142 NICARAGUA. ' 

equal and mutually advantageous, I am directed by the President to request 
you to bring the above-mentioned provisions of this act of Congress to the 
attention of your Government, and to express the hope that you may be em- 
powered to enter with me upon the consideration of the subject, with a view to 
the adjustment of the commercial relations between the two Republics on a 
permanent basis of reciprocity, profitable alike to both. 
Accept, sir, etc., 

James G. Blaine. 



DECREE OF NICARAGUAN GOVERNMENT. 

Republic of Nicaragua, 

Departvient of the Treasury. 

Whereas the Government must watch that the privileges and favors granted 
under the reciprocity commercial arrangements entered into between this Republic 
and the United States, as to certain articles of merchandise imported from the 
latter, do not result in detriment to the public revenue, by being unduly extended 
to merchandise coming from other countries, which are not entitled to the same 
benefits, and imported, or intended to be imported, as if coming from the United 
States; it has, therefore, decreed the following: 

Article 1. The importers of merchandise manufactured in the United States 
shall be bound, in order to enjoy the benefits provided for in the said commer- 
cial arrangement, to append to declarations to be filed by them before the cus- 
tom authorities, a certificate from the proper official of the United States showing 
that the merchandise therein referred to has been manufactured in the United 
States, and this certificate shall have to be authenticated by the Consul of Nica- 
ragua of the respective place in the United States. 

Art. 2. The collectors of customs shall levy the proper duties on all merchan- 
dise, claimed to be entitled to free admission, whose origin is not proven by the 
authenticated certificate provided for in the preceding article. 

Art. 3. The provisions of the present decree shall begin to be in force one 
month after date. 

Let it be published. 

Managua, November 21, i8g2. 

Sacasa. 
By the President: 

Marenco, 
Secretary of the Treasury and of Public Credit. 



Appendix C. 



THE JEWELL IRRIGATION CONTRACT. 

The Minister of Public Works, in representation of the Government, and 
Jesse J. Jewell for himself, have agreed as follows : 

First. The Government grants Jewell for thirty years the exclusive right of 
using the waters of the Gil Gonzalez River and its tributaries, to supply with 
water the towns and to irrigate the lands that lie within the following limits : 
To the east of Lake Nicaragua, to the south of the Enmedio River, to the west 
of a line that will commence from the principal branch of the Gil Gonzalez River 
and terminates 5 miles above the mouth of the Enmedio River, and to the north of 
a line to be drawn at a distance of i mile from the left bank of the Gil Gonzalez, 
parallel with said bank. 

Second. Jewell obliges himself (1) to commence the damming up of the river 
and to construct the water reservoirs within one year, to be counted from the 
date of ratification of this contract by the Congress of the Republic ; (2) to furnish 
the water necessary for the irrigation of the cultivated lands that lie within the 
aforesaid limits, it being understood that the water stored up be sufficient 
for that purpose, even after supplying the towns of Rivas, San Jorge, Potosi, 
Buenos Aires, and Belemj (3) to sell water in these towns in public places, 
to be established, and to supply the houses of the inhabitants who shall wish 
it; (4) not to charge more than 1% cents during the first fifteen years of this 
concession nor more than 1 cent during the rest of the term, for each cubic foot 
of water that he may sell at public places or deliver through pipes to dwellings ; 
(5) nor to charge over $15 for every hundred thousand gallons of water per 
manzana he furnishes for the irrigation of plantations, it being well understood 
that these prices do not comprise pipes, faucets, and other fixtures necessary for 
the distribution of water in dwellings, nor the pipes nor channels for the supply 
on the plantations to be irrigated, the cost of these materials to be reimbursed 
to Jewell by the parties interested, at conventional prices ; (6) to establish the 
public water-selling place at least in three of the towns mentioned within two 
years after commencing work, and to have the water supply ready for the rest 

143 



144 



NICARAGUA. 



of the towns one year after at the latest, so that the whole enterprise may be 
in full running order within four years after the ratification of this contract. 

In case that Jewell should not be able to furnish the water for irrigation, the 
privilege granted to him for that purpose will be forfeited, or limited to the area 
he is able to supply, for which end he has to publish an announcement, indicat- 
ing such area at the latest one year after finishing the principal dam. The 
privilege regarding irrigation will also be forfeited in case that, in spite of 
announcing its readiness, it should be evident that he can not manage it in the 
proportion of a hundred thousand gallons to one manzana of land during five 
consecutive months in the dry season. 

Third. The term of thirty years referred to in clause i is to commence on the 
date on which the selling of the water in any of the towns mentioned in article 
2 is begun, and this term as well as the one stipulated for the commencement 
and conclusion of the work may be prorogued to a space of time equal to that 
of any impediment caused by a war in which the Republic might get entangled, 
or by natural obstacles brought about by soil or climate. At and after the end 
of thirty years mentioned, the State has the right at any time to buy the enter- 
prise for two-thirds of its valuation as made by experts, one to be approved by 
either party v/ho will designate a third in case of non-agreement. If the State 
should not buy the enterprise after thirty years referred to, Jewell may continue 
to exploit it for another thirty years with the obligation of paying to the Gov- 
ernment 5 per cent of the net earnings. The second thirty years having expired, 
the enterprise will be transferred to the State without any remuneration, but 
Jewell will have the preference in case the Government should resolve to sell or 
lease it. 

Fourth. The enterprise is hereby declared one of public utility. Jewell will 
have the right to expropriate, according to the law, the private lands he may 
need for the construction of dams, artificial lakes or reservoirs, buildings, and 
the erection of machinery ; and he may occupy national lands, taking from them 
the timber and material he needs for construction; but it is understood that 
Jewell obliges himself to excavate a well on each of the estates adjoining the Gil 
Gonzalez River, which, up to the present moment, are using the waters of the 
river and which may be deprived of this right by consequence of their being 
disposed of for this enterprise. 

Fifth. During the term in which Jewell conserves the right of exploitation, he 
will have the privilege of importing free of any Government or municipal taxes 
or duties all the machinery and fixtures he needs for said enterprise. 

Sixth. No authority can hinder the execution of the work of the under- 
taking. It is understood, hov^rever, th^t Jewell obliges himself to repair any 



NICARAGUA. I45' 

alterations he may make in the streets and roads for the location of pipes or in 
the construction of channels in such a manner as will not disturb the traffic on 
them. 

Seventh. The Government will have the right of examining through its con- 
fidential agents the construction of the dams and any other work the defects of 
which might cause damage to the public, and in case that Jewell should continue 
to exploit the enterprise after the first thirty years referred to in this contract, 
then the Government shall have the right of examining the accounts whenever 
it deems convenient. 

Eighth. Jewell may organize a company for the execution of this contract. 

Ninth. In order to guarantee the fulfillment of this contract, Jewell binds 
himself to deposit in the general Treasury ^2,000, at the latest, six months from 
the date of the ratification by Congress. These $2,000 will be returned to 
him as soon as the selling places of the water are established at Rivas and Potosi. 

Tenth. Any question that may arise between the Government and Jewell 
relating to interpretation shall be subjected to the decision of two arbitrators, 
one to be appointed by either party, who, before giving their opinion on points 
in litigation, shall appoint a third in case of non-agreement. The decisions of 
the arbitrators or of the third in this case is irrevocable. 

The arbitrators shall be appointed within six months counting from the day 
that either party in writing declares to the other the want of agreement upon 
the point in discussion. If either of the parties allows the term indicated to 
expire without appointing his arbitrators, the opinion and claim of the other 
shall be taken as prevalent. 
BulLSl ^10 



Appendix D. 



THE MINING CODE OF NICARAGUA. 

(February ii, 1876.) 

Title I. — Preliminary provisions. 

Section, 1. The mining industry has for its object the working of all deposits 
of metallic ores, or of coal and combustible substances, salt, and precious stones, 
whatever the form may be in which they are found either on the surface of the 
ground or under it. 

Sec. 2. The character of mines and mining works shall be given, under the 
provisions and for the purposes of the present law, to only those undertakings 
which have for their object the extraction of any of the substances named in the 
preceding section, whether by excavating pits, or making subterraneous gal- 
leries, or by resorting to any mining process or method in use either at Nicara- 
gua or abroad, and in permanent establishments. 

Sec. 3. All deposits of mineral substances which can not be classified under 
any of the four heads mentioned in section 1, whether they belong to the class 
of earthy substances, as siliceous and building stones, lime, or chalk, or to the 
class of ornamental stones, as serpentine, marble, alabaster, porphyry, &c., as 
well as the different kinds of clay, and other materials, shall be of common use 
if found on grounds which do not belong to any private individual or company, 
or the private property of the owner of the soil if found on private grounds. 

Notwithstanding this provision, when the substances herein referred to can 
be made use of for the manufacture of earthenware, or of crockery, glass, cruci- 
bles, and refractory bricks, or for any other industry, or for constructions in which 
the public is interested, then and in that case the working of these deposits may 
be made the subject of a concession by a government, even if they are in private 
lands; but sufficient guarantee shall be previously given to the owner of the said 
lands that he will be properly indemnified. 

Title II. — Of the ownership of the mines, and the manner in which private 

parties can acquire it. 

Sec. 4. The ownership of the mines, such as they have been defined in sec- 
tion 1, belongs exclusively to the nation; but it can be transferred to private 
parties, in the manner and under the conditions which the present law estab- 
lishes. 

146 



NICARAGUA. • I47 

None therefore can be allowed to work a mine, even if situated within his 
own grounds, except by permission of the competent authority issued in the 
shape of a concession, or adjudication. 

Sec. 5. A concession is the formal adjudication or granting of a mine to some 
person or persons who had legally asked for it. It gives the said person or 
persons full authority to do all kind of mining work within the area which it 
shall describe. 

Sec. 6. The concessions shall be granted by the competent authority to any 
person or persons capable, under the general provisions of law, to enter into any 
binding obligations, upon application made either by the said person or persons, 
or by a duly accredited representative or attorney of the same, and after all the 
requisites established in Title XVII of the present code are duly fulfilled. 

Sec. 7. Concessions granted in pursuance of the provisions of this code shall 
be deemed to be for unlimited time, and they shall transfer to the grantee the 
full ownership of the mine to which they refer. The grantee can, therefore, 
from the date of the concession, dispose freely of the mine and of its yield, and 
transfer or convey the one or the other in favor of whomever he may be pleased, 
by the same methods and in the same manner as are usual and allowed by law 
for the conveyance and transfer of any other kind of private property; but the 
original grantee, as well as his successor or assign, are bound under all circum- 
stances to work the mine in such a manner as is established by the present code, 
since otherwise the said mine shall become liable to forfeiture and denouncement 
by other parties, when so provided by the same. 

Sec. 8. No especial concession shall be required to work auriferous sands or 
the iron deposits called of aluviSn or transportacion, or the other mineral pro- 
ducts of rivers and placers, except in case that the work to be done requires an 
expense of more than one thousand dollars and the establishment of a permanent 
shop. In this case the deposit, whatever it is, shall be deemed to be a mine, 
and shall be subject to adjudication or concession in the usual form. 

* * * * * * * 

Sec. 10, The slag and other refuse of abandoned smelting establishments shall 
be also subject to the provisions of section 8, except when they are found in 
private grounds, in which case they are the private property of the owner of the 
grounds. 

Sec. 11. The tailings and the ground of an abandoned mine are to be con- 
sidered as an integrant part of the same mine, and shall in no case be either de- 
nounced or granted separately or independently. 

Sec. 12. No mine concession shall ever be granted without the applicant first 
ascertaining which is the vein to be worked and which the metal or metals to be 
extracted from it, and showing besides that there is ground enough tp constitute 
a mining property. 



148 



NICARAGUA. 



Sec. 13. Every person capable under the law to enter into binding contracts 
shall be able to undertake discoveries of mines, either in common grounds or in 
grounds belonging to private parties, and to apply for the concession of the 
mines found, or take advantage of the productions which are declared to be of 
common use. The same shall be the case in regard to the denouncement of the 
place whereon the mining buildings should be erected, or of the waters to be 
used for moving the machinery; but in both cases especial attention is to be 
paid to the fact that neither the building lot nor the waters exceed the limit 
established by law. 

In consequence of these provisions, no owner of land, whether a private indi- 
vidual or corporation, can prevent, within the limits of his property, any search 
from being made, or any washings, rewashings, placers, or any other deposits spoken 
of in sections 8, 9, and 10, from being taken advantage of, or mining and smelting 
establishments from being created, or roads or other ways of communication 
from being constructed, or any other works for the permanent service of the 
mines from being made. The owner is entitled, however, to such indemnifica- 
tion as is proper for the occupation of his land, as well as damages. 

Sec. 14. Mines are real estate; so are also all the buildings, machinery, im- 
plements, animals, and everything else inherent to the proper working of the 
mine. The ores themselves and the provisions stored at the mine shall be 
deemed, however, personal property. 

Sec. 15. The smelting and reducing establishments and their appurtenances of 
all kinds are also real estate. The same character shall be given to the washings, 
rewashings, tailings, slags, and refuse heaps, when establishments of permanent 
character have been erected for their proper working and reduction. 

Sec. 16. Mines, when conceded in the proper form of law, are pieces of prop- 
erty entirely different and independent from the soil in which they are found, 
and can therefore be sold, or conveyed, or transferred separately. They are 
also capable of being mortgaged, without prejudice to other mortgages placed 
or to be placed upon the soil. 

Sec. 17. Mines are not liable to condemnation for public use. Should it 
happen that the soil in which the mine is found is taken in that way from its 
owner, the labors of the mine shall never be suspended for that reason, nor shall 
the owner of the mine be deprived of his mining property or of the buildings 
and other establishments which are necessary for his labors. 

Sec. 18. Mines and smelting and reducing establishments shall enjoy no more 
privileges and exemptions than those established in the present code. 

Sec. 19. No sale, either of a mine or of a part thereof, made by competent per- 
sons, and with all the formalities of law, shall be ever set aside or rescinded, for 
alleged hidden defects, or for gross injury [lessio), or for other reasons, except 
fraud if satisfactorily proved. 



Nicaragua. 140 

Sec. 20. Authorization can be given to the owners of either a mine, or of a 
reducing or smelting establishment, to take advantage, subject to the provisions 
of lawr, of the waters of some river or water course running in the neighborhood 
of their property, and dig a canal, or build a dam for the purpose of utilizing 
said waters. But that authority shall never be given, if through the digging of 
the said canal, or the building of the said dam, some injury is inflicted upon some 
neighboring town, or its agricultural interests, or upon some other establishment 
of the same locality, or if the navigation of the river, or the defense of some 
fortified place, is in any manner impeded. Under all circumstances the power 
to grant this authority is especially reserved to the supreme Government, which 
shall act in each case according to its discretion, upon the merits 01 the evi- 
dence filed by the applicant, and the report of the mining authority of the 
respective district. 

Sec. 21. The possession of a mine, in good faith, for the uninterrupted period 
of ten years, shall be sufficient, if accompanied by actual work, done in exact 
compliance with the provisions of the present code, to secure the lawful owner- 
ship of the same, even if the original title has some defect. But the possessor 
of the mine shall be bound, upon the statement of these facts and the proof 
thereof, to apply for a new title, which will then be perfect, within the time which 
the mining court, or any other competent authority of the locality may desig- 
nate. The failure to secure the new title, within said time, shall entail the for- 
feiture of the mine. 

The period often years, spoken of in this section runs against all persons, and 
can not be suspended for any of the reasons mentioned in article 2509 of the 
civil code. Mere tenancy is not sufficient, however, to give foundation to a 
claim of acquisition of the mine, under the present section. 

Sec. 22. The ownership of a mine can be also acquired through adverse pos- 
session and compliance with the provisions of this code, for only the period of 
five uninterrupted years, when it was conveyed to the possessor through any of 
the means established by law for the transfer or conveyance of private property, 
and he has held it in good faith. These five years also run against all persons 
and can not be suspended, for any of the reasons referred to in the foregoing 
section. 

Sec. 23. No application for the concession of a mine, or a smelting establish- 
ment, within the limits of a town, or city, shall be ever favorably considered, 
except under special act of the legislative power, or of the executive if expressly 
authorized to do so, if through the said concession some injury may be sus- 
tained by the principal buildings of the said town or city, or some other grave 
harm of a similar character may be caused. 



] ro NICARAGUA 

Title III. — Persons zvho are legally competent to engage in mining enterprises. ' 

Sec. 24. The exercise of the mining industry, under the provisions of the 
present code, is perfectly free in this Republic, and all persons, without distinc- 
tion of nationality, age, sex, or conditions, are free to engage themselves in this 
business, provided that all transactions and contracts which they may make or 
enter into are made and entered into in exact compliance with the general pro- 
visions of law, subject, however, to the exceptions set forth in the following 
section. 

Sec. 25. The following persons are expressly forbidden either to acquire or 
to work mines, namely: 

Generally and under all circumstances, the members of both sexes of any reg- 
ular monastic order. 

Only within the district in which they exercise their respective functions, the 
curate of the parish, the prefect, judge of first instance, and military governor of 
the department or district, the justices of the supreme court, the clerks of the 
mining courts, and the mining engineers in the service and in the pay of the 
Government. 

All the said persons, except the members of the religious orders, shall be al- 
allowed to retain possession, and engage in the work of the mines which they 
acquired before entering into the fulfillment of their respective duties. 

Title IV. — On the discoveries. 

Sec. 26. Whoever discovers a new vein, pit, or deposit of metal, or of any 
other of the substances indicated in section 1, is entitled to a concession, which 
shall be granted upon the proper application, if filed, within thirty days immedi- 
ately following the discovery. The discoverer who does not fulfill this requisite 
becomes liable to lose his right, if some other applicant comes and denounces the 
mine after the thirty days have elapsed. 

Sec. 27. The finders of metallic substances, even in veins or deposits which 
have been excavated or searched before, shall also be considered discoverers, if the 
search or excavation made does not exceed twelve yards in vertical depth, and 
if the desposit itself has not been made already the subject of a concession. 

Sec. 28. When two or more applicants claim to be the discoverers of one and 
the same vein or deposit, the concession shall be made in favor of the one who 
proves to have been first in finding the metal, even if the others had previously 
searched for it. In case of doubt, the one who first filed the application for the 
concession shall be declared to be the discoverer. 

Sec. 29. If the discovery is made in grounds absolutely new, in which no other 



NICARAGUA. 



151 



mines had been before worked, the discoverer shall be entitled to three mining 
properties, which he can take either contiguously to each other or separately, on 
the vein or deposit which he may choose, and also to an additional mining 
property on each vein which he may discover at the same time. But this additional 
adjudication shall not be made except in case that it is asked within ten days 
subsequent to the filing of the application relative to the principal deposit. 

Sec. 30. For the purposes of the foregoing section, a ground or mineral hill 
shall be considered absolutely new when at least at fifteen hundred yards from 
another ground or hill in which there are mines either actually worked, or aban- 
doned after having been worked, to the depth of twenty-five perpendicular 
yards. 

Sec. 31. The discoverer of a vein or deposit in some hill or ground already 
known to be mineral, or formerly worked, shall be entitled only to two mining 
properties, contiguous or separate, which shall be granted to him upon the proper 
application. 

Sec. 32. Applicants for the concession of new mines in some veins or deposits 
already worked in some sections or parts, shall not be considered discoverers, 
and shall be entitled only to one mining property. 

Sec. 33. All the privileges of discoverers of new mines in new hills or grounds 
shall also be granted to the restorers of old mines absolutely abandoned for over ten 
years. They shall, therefore, be entitled to three mining properties, either con- 
tiguous or apart from each other, on the vein or deposit more suitable to them, 
and to an additional property on each of the other veins which they may be willing to 
work; but they have to show previously what kind of work they propose to do. 

Sec. 34. Except in the cases provided for in the preceding sections, applicants 
shall never be granted more than two contiguous mining properties upon the 
principal vein of the deposit ; but they can acquire as many properties, con- 
tiguous or otherwise, as they may desire by purchase, donation, inheritance, or 
any other legal manner of conveyance. 

Nevertheless, when the applicant is an association or mining company legally 
constituted under a public deed executed in due legal form at a date previous to 
that of the application, it shall be entitled, merely because of its being such an 
association or company, to three additional mining properties, besides enjoying 
all other privileges of sections 29, 31, 33, if it is a discoverer or proposes to 
restore some abandoned mines. 

Sec. 35. Such applications as appear signed by two or more parties without 
a deed of partnership executed in the form referred to in the foregoing section 
being appended to them, can not secure the privileges granted to companies, and 
shall be considered only as individual applications. 



iS^ 



NICARAGUA. 



Sec. 36. It shall be in the power of everyone to denounce, without having to 
pay anything for it, any mining place or establishment formerly worked but 
abandoned. This can be done even if the walls, partitions, chimneys, furnaces, 
dwelling houses, etc., still remain standing, but it will be absolutely required 
that neither roofs, nor machinery, nor implements, nor any other thing of actual 
service is found at all in the place. Should they be found, notice of the de- 
nouncement shall be served upon the owner of the mine or establishment, and 
four months' time shall be given to him either to resume work at his property, or 
sell it, or lease it. If he fails to do so within the appointed time, the concession 
shall be made in favor of the denouncer, upon his application to that effect and 
his promise to pay for the value of all personal property which may be found at 
the place, the value to be fixed either by agreement between him and the owner, 
or by appraisement by experts. 

Title V. — Of ike mining properties. 

This title contains 16 sections, providing for the manner of measuring the 
mining properties according to the different inclination of the veins or deposits. 
A mining property in Nicaragua is a prism of indefinite depth or height, and 
rectangular bases. Two sides of this rectangle ere 200 Castilian yards, meas- 
ured all along the line, or direction of the vein. The other two vary according 
to the inclination, from 112^ yards to 200 yards. In coal mines and deposits 
of nitrates and similar substances, the bases of the prism shall be square, 800 
yards each side. In placers, washings, etc., they shall also be square, but only 
of 400 yards each side. The demarcation of the mining property, in the case 
of precious stones, is left to the discretion of the authorities, according to the 
circumstances of the case. 

Each mining property is a unit, absolutely indivisible. It can not be sold, 
or conveyed in part in any way whatever, nor can it be united or annexed to a 
contiguous property. If the original concession embraces two or more mining 
properties, said properties can be separated from each other with permission of 
the authority. 

Title VI. — Of the surpluses. 

This title contains 3 sections regulating what is called demasias, or surpluses. 
A demasia is a portion of free unoccupied ground between two or more mining 
properties not large enough to constitute a mining property by itself. These 
surpluses can not be granted to strangers, except in case that the owners of the 
neighboring mines refuse to ask for them. 



Nicaragua. 1 to 

Title VU.—How the mines must be worked and how the concessions thereof 

are forfeited. 

This title contains 34 sections which provide for the manner in which mines 
must be worked at Nicaragua, according to the rules and methods accepted and 
in use either in the country or abroad. 

They establish also several rules intended to secure the safety of the mines, 
and to preserve the health of the laborers, prevent accidents, and other similar 
purposes. 

The cases of forfeiture of the concession are the following: 

1. When the possessor of a mine fails to make his title perfect, as provided 
by section 21. 

2. When the person or persons in whose favor the concession of a mine is 
made violates for the second time the provisions of this law relative to the indi- 
visibility of a mining property. (Section 45, 46, 47.) 

3. When no proper precautions are taken, as provided by section 60, to make 
new galleries, or other works endangering the safety of the mine. (Section 60.) 

4. When the works undertaken to make a socavon (see Title VIII) are finally 
abandoned. (Section <^'j.^ 

5. When the monuments marking the limits of each mining property are 
maliciously removed by the grantee. (Section 215.) 

6. If the mine is not properly drained, or allowed to cave in, within the 
time given the grantee to do the necessary works of restoration. (Section 250.) 

7. When the time fixed in the permission to make excavations, or socavones, 
is allowed to pass without the work being done. 

Superior force, or fortuitous accident, are declared to be (section ^■^) the 
following: 

1. Famine, pestilence, or war in the mining district. 

2. Excessive rains, or repeated shocks of earthquakes. 

3. Express order of the authority directing the work to be stopped or sus- 
pended. 

4. Deeds of actual violence preventing the miner from using his rights, or 
doing his work properly. 

Title VIII. — On socavons. 

Sec. 90. Socavon is a narrow subterraneous passage, of larger dimensions 
than the ordinary galleries, horizontally excavated, and intended either for the 
restoration of an old mine long since abandoned, in which case it is called soca- 
restauracion, or for the draining of flooded mines, or the extraction of 



von 



1 I' A NICARAGUA. 

earth and rubbish from those which were caved in, in which cases it is called 
Sflcavon de hahilitacion, or finally for the simple purpose of finding out new 
veins, or deposits, in which case it is called socavon de exploracion. 

The rights and duties of the diggers of these galleries depend upon the pur- 
poses for which the digging is intended. 

Sec. 91. All ditches and excavations made for the purpose of draining 
flooded places, or of changing the river beds, or making them deeper, and 
the works done to discover deposits of gold, quicksilver, coal, or other mineral 
substances shall be deemed to be, in so far as the rights and duties of the exca- 
vators and doers thereof are concerned, of the same nature as the socavons. 

Sec. 92. None of the privileges granted by this present law to the mining 
works referred to in the preceding sections shall be enjoyed, if said works are 
undertaken without permission of the authority, and are not carried out in 
strict compliance with the provisions of this code. 

Section 93 and the following up to section 109 inclusive, continue to regulate 
in detail the matter of these tunnels or subterraneous galleries, the manner in 
which they must be made, and the duties and rights of those who undertake to 
build them. 

These 17 sections form the matter of titles IX, X, and XI of the present Code. 

Title, XII. — On the mines belonging jointly and severally to several persons, 
and on those which are the property of a company. 

This title, the purpose of which is sufficiently indicated by its heading, con- 
tains 18 sections, and needs not to be translated. 

Title XIII. — Rules for the proper furnishing and use of water. 

Section 129 and the following, up to section 142, regulate in detail what is to be 
done to furnish water to the mines and to prevent rivers and water courses and 
all streams used for drinking purposes and for the supply of cities and towns from 
being spoiled or poisoned through mines or mining works. 

Title XIV. — On timber, whether belonging to the State or to private persons. 

This title, which contains twelve sections, from 143 to 154, after providing 
for the right of the grantee of a mine to use the timber found in the neighboring 
forests and woods, either for building purposes or for fuel, regulates this right, 
and provides what is necessary to avoid abuse. 



NICARAGUA. 1^^ 

Title XV. — On the " aviadores" (money lendeis). 

This title, which begins in section 155 and ends in section 168, regulates the 
matter of the aviadores, who are defined "those persons who furnish money to 
the miner to carry on his mining work," These loans are to be witnessed by 
public deed, and made with certain formalities, and when so made enjoy certain 
privileges and preferences. One of these privileges is the faculty which the 
aviador has to appoint an interventor (a kind of receiver or inspector), through 
whom all the business of the mines is to be transacted. 

Title XVI. — On the interventor es {receivers). 

This title embraces from section 169 to section 178, and gives rules in regard 
to receivers and their rights and duties. 

Title XVII. — On the manner of making application for the concession of mines, 
and the course of proceedings to he followed for their concession and survey. 

Sec. 179. All applications in regard to mines intended either to make a de- 
nouncement or to ask for their concession, or merely for their survey, are 
required to be in writing and authorized by the signature of the applicant him- 
self or of his duly accredited representative. The application shall be written 
in stamped paper of the 4th class, and in case that it is signed by an attorney a 
copy of the credentials or special power of attorney, duly authenticated by a 
notary, justice of the peace, alcalde, prefect, or judge of first instance shall be 
appended to it. 

Sec. 180. If the applicant can not write his name, some other person may 
sign for him the petition, at his request, and before the same notary, alcalde, 
judge, or prefect who takes cognizance of the matter. 

Sec. 181. Applications which have for their object the denouncement or con- 
cession of mines, as defined in section 1 of this code, or of places or locals which 
are desired for the purpose of starting within their limits some reducing or smelt- 
ing establishment, or deposits of timber, or reservoir, shall necessarily be filed 
before the chief executive mining authority of the department to which the mine 
or the locality referred to belongs. 

Sec. 182. When, owing to great distance or to some other reason of the same 
character, the application can not be filed before the said chief executive mining 
authority of the department without the applicant being subject to grave injury, 
the latter shall be permitted to hand his application to the inspector of mines of 
his own district, and, if there be none, then to that of the nearest one; but this 
permission is granted only for the purpose that the application be endorsed as 



ir6 NICARAGDA. 

provided in section 189, before two witnesses, without relieving in any way 
whatever the said applicant from the necessity of repeating his application and 
filing it directly before the chief departmental mining authority within ten days, 
to be counted from the date of the said endorsement. 

Sec. 183. All applications shall set forth, in addition to the peculiar features 
in each case required, as provided by the present code, the following: 

1. The name, residence, and occupation of the applicant, 

2. The matter or thing which is applied for, giving its name, if there is any, 
and describing it as accurately as necessary to distinguish it perfectly from all 
others. 

3. The mineral district, hill, ground, or place where the thing applied for 
stands. 

Sec. 184. Applications made in the name of a company shall necessarily be 
accompanied by the deed of partnership. In such cases as are referred to in sec- 
tion 182 the filing of the said deed may be deferred until the moment in which 
the second application is filed within the ten days therein granted. 

Sec. 185. The application shall set forth also the place and the date, written 
out, in which they are filed. 

Section 186 and the following, up to section 189, provide that applications 
which are not drawn and filed in exact compliance with the above rules shall 
have no effect at all, and that all applications shall be endorsed, stating the day 
and hour in which they are filed or handed to the inspector of mines (section 
28), in order to settle the question of priority. 

Section 190 and the following up to section 219 establish rules in regard to 
the discoveries of mines and the surveys of the mining properties. The appli- 
cations made on the ground of discovery shall set forth whether the mine dis- 
covered is found in grounds already known as mineral, or entirely new in this 
respect, and also the nature of the ore or mineral substance of which the mine 
consists, and the form, class, and location of the vein or deposit. They must 
state also the number of mining properties which the applicant desires to have, 
and if the land or soil belongs to private parties the name and residence of the 
owner are to be given. In all cases the applicant shall say what is the name 
which he proposes to give to the new mine, and what are the names of the 
neighboring ones. 

When the land belongs to private parties, the applicant must file a bond to 
secure the payment to the lawful owner of such indemnification as may be proper 
under section 13. 

Upon the filing of the proper evidence in regard to the existence of the min- 
eral deposit, and after the proper publication for sixty days (section 194), in 
order to find out whether any opposition can be lawfully made to the granting 



NICARAGUA. 



57 



of the application, permission shall be given to the latter to make what is called 
the labor de ordenanza, and consists in a gallery or pit of sufficient length or 
depth to show well the nature of the vein or deposit, its inclination and direc- 
tion, and the nature of the ores or other substances which constitute the mine. 

If no opposition is made, or if the opposition is overruled, the opportunity 
presents itself for a survey of the mining properties to be granted the applicant. 

If there is opposition the question shall be settled judicially, appeals as well 
as all other legal remedies being given against the decision, whenever proper 
under the general provisions of law. 

The surveys are to be made by official engineers, or experts, with interven- 
tion of the authority^ and upon notice given to the neighbors, and publication 
in the newspapers and otherwise. 

Monuments of brick or limestone, substantially built and at least one yard 
high, are to be erected to mark the limits of each mining property. These 
monuments must be kept always in good condition of repair. 

Sec. 219. As soon as the survey is finished, the formal concession of the mine 
or mining properties shall be made in the name of the nation in favor of the ap- 
plicant, who shall be at once put in possession of his property. 

The title or patent shall consist of an authenticated copy of the whole record. 

Title XVIII. — On the alinderados or claimants of adjoining mines. 

Alinderados, from the Spanish word Imde, which means boundary, are those 
who ask for the concession of a mining property bordering upon some other already 
granted. 

Title XIX. — On the opposition to the claims of discovery, and the course oj 
proceedings to be followed in such cases. 

This title, which embraces from section 232 to section 241, provided that no 
opposition to claims of discovery shall be admitted if not made within 60 days 
given for that purpose in the publication provided for by 194. The proceedings 
shall be conducted before the civil court of the district if the mining authorities 
can not find some way of causing the interested parties to reach an agreement. 

Title XX. — On denouncements. 

Sec. 242. Denouncements are those applications intended to cause the rights 
or title to a mine or mining property to be adjudged forfeited, and granted or 
transferred to the denouncer. 

Section 242 and the following up to section 255 regulates the matter of these 
denouncements, according to the nature of the denounced property, and fixes 
the manner in which they can be made and considered in justice. 



1^8 NICARAGUA. 

Title XXI. — On the opposition to denouncements. 

This title, which runs from section 255 to section 269, provides what is neces- 
sary to enable the owner of the denounced property, or his representative, or 
the tenant, lessee, or any other person having a right to that property, to appear 
before the authority and make opposition to the denouncement, and to cause 
this opposition to succeed upon the proper evidence. Section 259 says that 
sufficient ground for the opposition will be found: (1) In the fact that the alle- 
gations made in the denouncement are incorrect; (2) in the existence of some 
law or legal provision which excepts the mine or mining property from being 
denounced; and (3) in the fact that a petition for the concession of the de- 
nounced mine or property has been previously made. 

The other sections regulate the proceedings which in these cases of opposition 
are to be conducted before the civil courts. 

Title XXII. — On the denouncement oj" surpluses. 

Surpluses, or demasitZl, as defined in Title VI of this code, are capable of de- 
nouncement as all other mining properties, and section 270 and the following, 
up to section 285, which form the present title, explain the manner in which 
this particular denouncement is to be made, and the requisites to which it is 
subject. 

Title XXIII. — On the possession ad interim of the mines. 

This title, which embraces from section 286 to section 296, regulates what is 
called in Nicaragua the possession ad interim of mines or mining properties. 

Mines are considered such an important element of prosperity and wealth for 
the country as to render all suspension or discontinuance of their work undesir- 
able. So it is that even in case of litigation, the mine or mining establishment 
is to be kept open and at work, under some one who possesses it ad interim. 
The rights and duties of this possessor are the subject of this title. 

Title XXIV. — On the smelting and reducing establishments and the manner 
of denouncing them and securing their concession. 

Sec. 297. No other works or establishments shall be classified for the pur- 
poses of the present law under the head of smelting or reducing establishments 
than the following: 

1. Furnaces for the calcination, toasting, or melting of the ores, and the ex- 
traction of the metal which they contain, and the engines intended for the sep- 
aration of the game metal through washing or blowing processes. 



NICARAGUA. 



»59 



2. The establishments intended for the working of saline substances. 

Sec. 298. The establishments in which metals, after being extracted from the 
ores, are manufactured for commercial or industrial purposes, are private estab- 
lishments, not subjects to the provisions of the present law. 

The balance of this title (sections 299 to 315) is devoted to establish rules in 
regard to the proper use of the right of denouncing abandoned establishments of 
this kind, and the requisites which are necessarily to be complied with in the 
applications filed for that purpose. Section 304 says that said applications have 
to set forth: (1) The name of the establishment and the place where it is situ- 
ated; (2) The name of the last owner, or possessor, of the same establishment, 
and that of the owner of the land in which the latter is situated; (3) The time 
during which the establishment has been left abandoned, and whether any build- 
ings, machinery, water works, or any other work, capable of being used (see 
section 36) has been left in it; (4) The nature of the substance for the extrac- 
tion or preparation of which the establishment was intended; (5) The name 
of the mine whose ores are to be worked in the establishment, if the applicant 
owns such a mine, and the mineral district in which it is situated; (6) The 
kind of fuel the applicant proposes to use in the establishment, and .he locality 
from which he will get his supply; (7) And finally, the water which the appli- 
cant proposes to use, and the area of ground which will be needed for the proper 
work of the establishment. 

Title XXV. — On the steps to he taken to obtain permission to open socavons, 
or subterraneous galleries, in old mines. 

Sec. 316. Whoever proposes to put again in working condition some old 
abandoned mines, by digging socavans, or subterraneous galleries, through which 
the earth, water, or other obstructions may be removed, shall have to file a 
petition, written on stamped paper of the fourth class, setting forth the following : 

1. The name of the mineral district, and the time during which no work has 
been made in it. 

2. Where any mine is or is not worked in that locality. 

3. The name of the mine, or mines, which the applicant proposes to put 
again in working condition, and such description of the same as necessary for 
their proper identification. 

4. The kind of metal or substance yielded by the mine. 

5. The place where the gallery or socavon is to begin, and the extent of 
ground through which it has to run. 

6. The dimensions of the work to be done, and its estimated cost. 

7. The depth of the gallery in relation to the highest boca-mine, or first 
opening made in the vein, which is to be worked again. 



l()0 NICARAGUA. 

8. The area of ground which will be required to do the work properly. 

9. The name and residence of the owner of the land in which the mine is 
situated, if the said land is not public. 

Sec. 317. A plan or map of the ground, clearly showing the places where the 
work is to be done, shall be filed with the petition. 

Section 318 and the following, up to section 334, establish the course of pro- 
ceedings to be pursued until obtaining permission to do the work, and how the 
opposition, if any, to the said work is to be considered and disposed of by the 
authorities. 

Title XXVI. — On the applications for concessions of deposits of earthy sub- 
stances, and the steps to be taken to obtain said concessions. 

Sec. 335. Whoever may desire to work a deposit of earthy substances, found 
on private lands, or to use said substances for some industrial purpose of public 
use, shall, if the owner of the land refuses to do it by himself, or to consent to 
its being done by the applicant, file a petition to the chief authority of the de- 
partment asking for the proper permission, and setting forth the following: 

1. The kind of substance which is to be worked, or used. (Samples of the 
same shall be accompanied.) 

2. The industry, work, or manufacture in v/hich the substance is to be used. 

3. The name and actual residence of the owner of the land. 

4. The fact that the owner of the land refuses to do the work by himself, or 
to enter into agreement with the applicant upon the matter. 

5. The securities which the applicant proposes to give for the payment of the 
indemnification due to the owner. 

6. The area of ground which the applicant desires to have to carry on his 
plans. 

The following sections (336 to 343) establish the rules to be observed in these 
cases, before granting the permission desired. 

Title XXVII. — On the proceeding of opposition to the applications for per- 
mission to work deposits of earthy substances. 

This title, as shown by its heading, provides what is necessary tor the proper 
hearing of the owner of the land, in case he should oppose the application to 
work such deposits, and what steps are to be taken to settle that matter in 
justice. The title embraces section 344 and the following up to 353. 



NICARAGUA. l6l 

Title XXVIII. — On the courts of mines and their power and jurisdiction. 

This title explains in detail (sections 354 to 375) the organization of the 
courts of mines of Nicaragua, the qualifications required to be a mining judge, 
the powers and duties of the same judges and courts, and their relations with 
the executive authorities. 

Title XXIX. — On the proceedings on mining cases. 

The provisions of this title (section 376 to section 390) mark the course of 
proceedings to be pursued in all cases of litigation on mining matters, substan- 
tially the same as in all other cases of judicial contentions. 

Title XXX. — On the mineral districts and their inspectors. 

Section 391 and the following up to section 405 provide for the division of 
the territory of Nicaragua into mining districts, at the head of which an in- 
spector shall be placed. 

The title defines also the duties and the rights of these inspectors. 

Title XXXI.— On mining engineers and their duties and faculties. 

Sec. 406. There shall be in every department having within its limits some 
mineral district a mining engineer appointed by the Government. Such appoint- 
ment, however, will not be made unless the Government considers that the em- 
ployment of such an officer is indispensable. 

Section 407 and the following up to section 417 provide for the qualifications 
required to fill this position, the oath of ofiice to be administered to the engineers, 
their duties, and their rights and authority. 

general provisions. 

This final part of the code, from section 418 to section 431, besides regulating 
the application of the present code to cases arising out of previous legislation, 
and repealing the mining ordinances of May 2, 1783, and all other laws and 
regulations of previous date, contains the following provisions : 

Sec. 418. Miners must have their tools and implements marked in such a way 
as to secure identification ; and if anyone should buy them from some laborer, 
or should take as a pledge for the payment of debts, shall have to pay the double 
of their value. 

Sec. 419. No concession can be made to the detriment of rights previously 
acquired by other parties, except only in those cases specially provided for in 
this code. 

Bull. 51 11 



j52 NICARAGUA. 

Sec. 424. All fines imposed in pursuance of the provisions of this code shall 
be applied to the promotion of the mining industry. 

Sec. 426. The sales and transfers of mines and mining properties, smelting or 
reducing establishments, mining machinery, and all other real property used for 
or connected with the mining industry, shall be free of the transfer tax named 
alcahala. 

The owners of mines shall also be exempted for three years from paying all 
other taxes, dues, and fees, which may be levied on rnines and the mining in- 
dustry. 

Sec. 427. The owners of mines, their employees and laborers, are exempted 
from military service, unless when voluntarily rendered, or when rec[uired to 
preserve the independence and liberty of the Republic. 



Appendix E. 



THE MINES OF NICARAGUA— REPORT OF CONSUL NEWELL.(a) 

I desire to call attention to the rich mineral zones that are now 
being operated in the Republic of Nicaragua. 

Besides the vast mountainous system, extending to the Atlantic, 
rich in minerals, but yet unexplored, there are the auriferous min- 
eral districts of New Segovia and Chontales, which to-day pro- 
duce the gold ore that is exported from this Republic. 

The mineral district of La Libertad, in Chontales, is the most 
ancient, as well as the best developed, in the country, though the 
machinery is as yet of the most primitive character. The incomes 
of the mines vary from half an ounce to 2 ounces per ton and the 
quality of the gold from 14 to 20 per carat. 

I here append statistics showing the production of the thirteen 
mines located in the Chontales district: 



Name of mine. 



San Juan de Canidad. 

Babilonia 

Las Angeles 

La California 

El Escandalo 

Santa Elena 

La Esmeralda 

El Tope 

El Chamowo 

El Javali 

San Miguel 

Santo Domingo 

San Gregorio 



Carat gold. 



15 
16 to 17 

14 
14 
15 
17 
18 
19 to 20 
i5 to 17 



(t) 



Ounces to 
the ton. 



oX to o}4 

0% 

0% to oy. 

0% to oy 

oU 
0% to 0% 
o^ to oj4 

I to 2 

(t) 



Monthly pro- 
duction. 



Ounces. 

30 to 40 

100 to 200 

30 to 40 

30 to 40 

150 to 200 

140 

100 to 200 

100 

100 to 150 

200 to 300 

30 to 40 

50 to 100 

ICO to 200 



*The consul reports this yield as follows: " i castellano (xus of a Spanish pound) to three-quarters of 
an ounce per pound" (sic). 
t " Ounces per ton and carat not obtainable.' 



a United States Consular Reports, September, 1893. 



163 



164 NICARAGUA. 

Most of the machinery used in these mines is moved by rude 
hydraulic turbine wheels and steam power. The machinery gen- 
erally consists of one or more batteries of four large mallet tritu- 
rators of the California system and one or more cups in which the 
ore is beaten or ground. 

In Boaco, of the same department of Chontales, there are two 
mines, but they are operated in the crudest way. One is worked 
by means of an old mallet engine, the other by an ancient system 
that they call molinete. The first produces 200 ounces, the second 
128. 

In the department of Segovia the mines are richer, but the bad 
condition of the roads makes the introduction of machinery very 
difficult, so that no gold vein is worked that yields less than 1 
ounce per ton. 

All the hills, all the mountains, and almost all the rivers in that 
department contain veins, placers, and pockets of gold and silver, 
croppings of copper, tin, antimony, lead, and other metals, samples 
of which formed a conspicuous part of Nicaragua's exhibit at the 
Paris Exposition. 

Nevertheless, almost the entire region remains undeveloped, 
with the exception of the mines Macueslizo and Dipilto, which 
in times past gave rich production of silver to the old Spanish col- 
ony, and are to-day abandoned only because there is more to be 
made in gold-mining. 

In the mineral districts of Jicaro, Murra, Los Encinos, and Las 
Vueltas there are no less than twenty mines in operation, with six 
plants of machinery of ancient construction which are used in re- 
ducing gold ores. 

The district of Telpaneca, which comprises also San Juan and 
El Pericon, has at least twelve mines that are nonproducing be- 
cause of the miners' lack of capital. 

Then, again, there are mines of extraordinary richness in the 
district of Cuje that are not operated with profit for the want of 



NICARAGUA. 165 

running water to triturate the ore. Most of the mines in this uo- 
trict, especially the extremely rich ones, are operated by the im- 
perfect system of molinete. 

Taking as a basis 2 tons of ore that are ground each twenty- 
four hours by the machinery of the different mines in New Segovia, 
it is ascertained that the monthly output is 900 ounces of gold, 
without considering the ores reduced in the district of Cuje by the 
molinete process. 

There are in Segovia, Chontales, and Matagalpa, vestiges of 
placer diggings that were worked with profit in the days of the 
Spanish conquerors. The richest placer diggings are those along 
the Prinzapulca and Wawa rivers, on the Atlantic coast. 

Dr. Buno Mierisch has made an important geological study of 
the Prinzapulca district, having analyzed ores from thirteen of the 
mines of that section, especially minerals from Cincuina, La Con- 
cepcion. El Dorado, Pis-Pis, and Cuenca del Cucalaia. 

Dr. Mierisch is the official geologist of Nicaragua. He has 
made a volumious report upon the mineral district of Prinzapulca, 
covering sixty-two pages of foolscap. Up to the present time his 
report has not been made public. 

The veins of the Prinzapulca and Wawa districts contain both 
gold and silver, and in the proportion of 0,001 to 0.015 P^^ ^^^^ 
of gold to 0.001 to 0.015 per cent of silver in each ton of ore of 
2,000 pounds. 

So far I have found it impossible to secure any statistics as to 
the monthly output of the placer mines; but probably, taking into 
account the great value of the waters of the River Wawa for ex- 
tracting the ore, the output can not fall below 600 to 800 ounces. 

In the mineral district of Muy Muy Viejo (Matagalpa) they 
have just established two mining enterprises on veins whose yield 
is said to be fabulous, amounting to 8 ounces to the ton. I have 
found it difficult to verify this statement, though as these mines 
are located in a district known to be exceedingly rich, it may be true. 



l66 NICARAGUA. 

The moHnete system, already mentioned, is the same as that 
known in Mexico as the arastra. The arastra is composed of a 
circular granite-paved bottom, from 6 to 20 feet in diameter, sur- 
rounded by a wooden inclosure over 2 feet high, with a vertical 
wooden shaft in the center provided with two or more projecting 
arms, to which mullers composed of large blocks of granite are 
attached by means of chains. This primitive, but effective, ma- 
chinery is operated by mules when water power is not available. 
The mullers make from six to ten revolutions per minute, with a 
capacity of grinding from ij^ to 2 tons of rock (the fragments 
being broken as small as a hen's egg or less) in twenty-four hours. 
Of the arastra, Mr. Kustel, a high authority, writes as follows : 

When in motion, the arastra is charged with 200 pounds of ore, with some 
water. One-quarter of an hour afterward the balance of the whole charge^ 
from 400 to 500 pounds, is introduced. As soon as the ore is turned into mud 
1 or 2 ounces of quicksilver are pressed through a dry cloth over the thick pulp. 

A sample is taken from time to time with the horn spoon, washed and ex- 
amined. When free gold is perceived, after the amalgamation has gone on for 
some time, some more quicksilver may be added. The first charges require a 
little more quicksilver. After four or five hours the pulp is diluted with water 
and discharged. 

The next charge is treated in the same way, and so on till 100 or 150 tons 
are worked through. The quicksilver must be used always in proportion with 
the gold — 1 or 1^ ounces to 1 ounce of gold. The amalgam imbeds in the crev- 
ices of the bottom and must be always dry. 

The use of too much quicksilver makes the amalgam thin, causes an imperfect 
amalgamation, and a loss in quicksilver, which is often found beneath the bot- 
tom rock. 

When the reducing and amalgamating process is finished the 
slime is washed off and the amalgam cleaned up, squeezed, and 
retorted. 

To Mr. Jose D. Gamoz, of Managua, editor of the El Termo- 
metro, I am indebted for much of the valuable data entering into 

this report. 

William Newell, Consul. 
Managua, July /j, fSpj. 



[Nicaragua.] 

NOTE. 

Appendix F, Commercial Directory, page 167 to page 177, inclusive, omitted 
in reprint. 



INDEX 



A. Page. 

Agricultural resources 7, 28, 39 

Premiums offered colonists for cultivation 103 

Area i 

Artieda, Governor Diego de 8 

Atlantic coast, development of 63 

Ports on 2 

B. 

Bananas, cultivation of 34 

Plantation, estimate of production 35 

Prices of 35 

Banking 70 

Bibliographical notes 105 

Boundary treaties and controversies i 

Breadfruit, growth of 40 

C. 

Cacao 36 

Caribbean Sea, islands claimed by Mosquito authorities . . 7 

Cattle-raising industry 40 

Climate, description of 16 

Cocoanut tree, yield of 40 

Coffee, cultivation of 28 

Exports of 31 

Freight rates on 32, 88 

Methods of transportation 31 

Shipments of 85 

Statistics of crops 29 

Coinage 70 

Colombia, disputed boundary with i 

Colonization, laws for 100 

Commerce 84 

Exports for i8go, by articles 86 

Exports for 1890, by countries 87 

Imports for 1890, by countries 86 

Report of Consul-General Newell 93 

179 



l8o NICARAGUA. 

Page. 



65 



Constitution and laws 

Corn, cultivation of ^q 

Cost of living, wages, etc ■78 

Costa Rica, disputed boundary with i 

Cotton 28 

Courts, constitution of 66 

Number of 66 

Currency ^o 

D. 

Dyewoods 25 

E. 

Earthquakes 21 

Executive powers 66 

F. 

Fibrous plants 26 

Finances 68 

Fluvial S3^stem 6 

Foreign commerce 85 

Forests, description of 22 

Frijoles, yield of crops 40 

G. 

Geographical and physical features i 

Geology 10-12 

Gold placers 11 

Guatemala, Costa Rica, a province of 8 

Granada, city of 5 

H. 

Historical notes 105 

I. 

Immigration 9, 100 

Import duties of Nicaragua 109 

India rubber, methods of obtaining 32 

Production of 32 

Value of exports 34 

Indian inhabitants 9 

Indigo, cultivation of 39 

Intercontinental railroad 64 

Internal improvements 42, 64 

Interoceanic canal, Baron Alexander von Humboldt's account of observations. . 42 

Description of work proposed 48 

Explorations for 45 

Report of Commission appointed by President Grant 46 



NICARAGUA. . l8l 

Interoceanic canal, etc. — Continued. Page. 

Surveys for 44 

Treaties and concessions for 44, 45, 47 

Islands off coast of Caribbean Sea 7 

J- 

Jewell irrigation contract 143 

Judicial tribunals 66 

L. 

Laws, colonization 100 

Governmental 67 

Land loi 

Mining 14 

Naturalization 102 

M. 

Managua Lake 5 

Medicinal plants 25 

Mineral resources 10, 14 

Mines and mining laws 14, 146, 163 

Mosquito Reservation ^ i 

Mountain ranges 4 

N. 

Negroes, slavery introduced by Governor Diego de Artieda 8 

Newell, consul-general, report on commerce 93 

Nicaragua Canal, termini of 2, 3 

Lake, the ancient " Cocibolca" 5 

Railroad, freight rates on gi 

Nueva Segovia, list of merchandise , I76 

O. 

Official publications of Nicaragua 706 

P. 

Pacific coast, ports on 3 

Pacific Mail Steamship Company 3 

Peary, engineering expedition of 18 

Ph)'sical features i 

Political divisions 8 

Population 8 

Ports of the Republic 2, 3 

Postage rates g8 

Postal service q8 

Premiums offered colonists for cultivation of agricultural products 103 

Productions, agricultural 7 

Provinces 8 



^1 



l82 



NICARAGUA. 



Page. 

Public improvements, report of Consul-General Newell 70 

Public instruction 77 

R- 

Railroads 56 

Passenger rates on 57 

Rolling stock of ,. 57 

Reciprocal commercial arrangement between the United States and Nicaragua. . 139 

Religion 76 

Revenues, sources of 69 

Rice, cultivation of 39 

S. 

Seasons, extent of 16 

Steamship communication 58-63 

Freight rates 8g 

Passenger rates 89 

Sugar cane 37 

Company formed for working plantation 38 

Plantations 38 

Production of 38 

T. 

Tariff 109 

Taxation, system of 68 

Telegraph facilities 99 

Tobacco, cultivation of 39 

Topographical features 4. 58 

Transportation facilities 56 

Travelers' guide 61 

U. 

Unofficial publications of Nicaragua 107 

V. 

Volcanoes ... 4 

W. 

Wages , • . . , 78 

Y. 

Yuca (yam) ......,.., ......,,.,,., 39 



JAN lb 1S40 

LB S '06 



ory-- /. 



